Here’s our review of the Golden Age French Rugby League – ‘Champagne Rugby’ by Henri Garcia, the former L’Equipe Newspaper Correspondent.

Fancy something continental? ‘Champagne Rugby’ by Henri Garcia is a great read and strongly recommended by Ellis Rugby. It covers the Golden Age of French Rugby League. Some great stories. Available from our friends at Rugby League JournaL to VIEW. Also, why not take a look at our Vintage France Rugby League Shirt, Retro France Rugby League Polo or France Rugby League T-Shirt Vintage Style. Or take a look at our full Vintage Rugby League World Cup range.

The 1950’s was the Golden Age of French Rugby League. After being banned by the collaborative Vichy regime during the Second World War, the sport quickly rebuilt and in 1951 a French Rugby League team toured Australia for the first time. Playing flowing, attacking rugby, they shocked the Australians with a decisive victory in the Test series. Their famous full-back, Puig Aubert, broke the points scoring record for a tourist.

In 1955, France again defeated the Australians, and in 1960, with a squad hit by injuries, drew the Test series.

This book is the story of those famous tours and also gives a French viewpoint of the game’s origins. First published in 1960, and produced here for the first time in English, it is a wonderful record of three great French teams.

The author, Henri Garcia, was the rugby league correspondent of L’Equipe, and covered all three tours for that newspaper.

This edition includes a foreword by Reg Gasnier.

Well illustrated, and including a comprehensive statistical record, all rugby league fans will enjoy this fascinating book. Published by London League Publications Limited (LLP) in the United Kingdom and great value, only costing £12.95.