Obolensky would go on to make three more appearances for England in 1936 in the Home Nations championship but would score no further tries.

As well as being selected to play for the Barbarians, he was also appointed a Knight Of St. John in 1938. Within four years of his Twickenham heroics however, he would be dead.

When the call to war came, Obolensky joined the RAF. His lifestyle perhaps drew him to the dashing pilot image, but further to this, a desire for his adopted country to avoid the fate of his native one must have been a driving force.

His life would reach a tragic end on March 29th, 1940, when his Hurricane plane overshot the runway during a training accident. He was 24 years old.

In a moment his legend came into being, and like so many, we would never see how great he could become.

To view the Vintage collection inspired by the Flying Prince of rugby visit ellisrugby.com

(E. Kerr 2016. Alexander Obolensky: England’s Flying Prince reproduced by kind permission of The Rugby Magazine) – https://therugbymagazine.com/