ENGLAND RUGBY WORLD CUP 1991 CAMPAIGN – CLASSIC GAMES CELEBRATED

The 1991 Rugby World Cup. And England’s heroic team led by Will Carling were the inspiration behind one of our latest Polo styles. Take a look.

Quarter Final in Paris World Cup 1991

Having made their way through the Group Stage. England had the seemingly impossible task to take on the French at the Parc Des Princes in Paris. France on their own ground were the firm favourites in this Quarter Final knock-out stage of the 1991 Rugby World Cup 1991. Watch the game.
With the score 10-6 in England’s favour. A scrum was formed five metres from the English line. Marc Cécillon picked up and drove to the blind side. The tough back-row forward came up against the equally formidable Harlequin’s Flanker Mickey Skinner. Skinner hit Cécillon with a bone-crunching tackle and drove him backwards. As a result, England won the ball.

Carling Scores Vital Try in Victory

In Injury time the score was 13-10 for England. The atmosphere at the Parc Des Princes was electric. Scrum-half Richard Hill kicked high, to Jean-Baptiste Lafond.
Lafond caught the ball but was then engulfed by the England team. As the ball came loose Will Carling was on hand to grasp possession and dive over for the clinching try. Jonathan Webb converted. To make it 19-10. Peter Winterbottom and the forwards went berserk with joy.

Semi Final in Edinburgh. Scotland v England Rugby World Cup 1991

Playing at home in the semi-final undoubtedly gave Scotland their best ever chance of a place on the biggest stage of all. The World Cup final. Although with England as opponents, it was no easy task. Crowds at Murrayfield for the pool games and the quarter-final had been disappointing in comparison to those at other venues, but with the Auld Enemy in town, tickets were at a premium for the semi-final.

Having lost their Grand Slam decider the year before. England had avenged that defeat at Twickenham earlier in the season. And were now seeking to erase those memories completely by winning at Murrayfield.

Rugby World Cup – Hastings Miss And Rob Andrew’s Drop Goal

Unsurprisingly, given what was at stake, the game was a dour affair. Two Gavin Hastings penalties gave Scotland early hope. Before Jon Webb put England onto the scoreboard. Also from a penalty.

England relied on forward power to give them the advantage. Rarely giving their backs a chance to shine. Webb slotted another kick to pull England level before Gavin Hastings missed a straightforward kick in front of the posts. With the scores tied at 6-6. It proved crucial as Scotland were unable to create such a clear opening again. And a late Rob Andrew drop goal clinched the win for England.

We’ve just launched our new England Rugby 1991 Polo Shirt World Cup. It celebrates this great era of England Rugby.