Description

The inspiration behind the Rugby Invitation XV Polo

Name: Rugby Invitation XV Shirt Polo Heritage Style
SKU: ER-PO-1854-BL-
Price: 44.95 GBP
Availability: OutOfStock

The Rugby Invitation XV Shirt Polo is a Heritage Style garment, inspired by the Invitation Rugby teams of the past. One of the early Barbarian Invitation XV teams formed by William Percy Carpmael in the 1800s had a ‘Skull & Crossbones’ badge with the initials B.F.C. beneath.

One of the game’s greatest ever tries was scored during the Barbarians v New Zealand match in 1973. The ‘All Blacks’ were on their 1972-73 tour of Britain, Ireland, France and North America. The ‘Baa-Baas’ selected a strong XV with five Wales international in the backs – J.P.R. Williams, John Dawes, John Bevan, Phil Bennett and Gareth Edwards The other two positions were filled by Ireland’s Mike Gibson at Outside Centre and David Duckham of England on the Right Wing.

The pack of forwards was equally impressive with Ireland’s Fergus Slattery and Willie John-McBride Wales back row forwards Derek Quinnell and Tom David. The front row was made up of Ireland, England and Scotland in Ray McLoughlin, John Pullin and Sandy Carmichael. The uncapped Forward at the time was Bedford Second Row Bob Wilkinson. He did however gain six England Caps in 1975/76.

New Zealand too had some great players in their line-up, including the likes of Full Back Joe Karam, Wingers Bryan Williams and Grant Batty, Scrum Half Sid Going and the All Blacks Captain and Open Side Flanker Ian Kirkpatrick.

The greatest try ever scored

New Zealand winger Bryan Williams kicked the ball deep in to the Barbarian’s half. Phil Bennett, chased back and collected the ball near his goal line. Bennett then began the move by sidestepping and evading three defenders. He then passed the ball to JPR Williams, who was caught high, but still managed to release the ball. The ball was then passed quickly through Pullin, Dawes, David and Quinnell before Gareth Edwards hit the ball at pace. He finished with a diving try in the left-hand corner.

Commentary

Cliff Morgan’s famous commentary:-

Kirkpatrick to Williams. This is great stuff. Phil Bennett covering. Chased by Alistair Scown. Brilliant! Oh, that’s brilliant! John Williams, Bryan Williams. Pullin. John Dawes, great dummy. To David, Tom David, the half-way line! Brilliant by Quinnell! This is Gareth Edwards! A dramatic start! What a score! Oh, that fellow Edwards!

A moment later, at the restart, he added,
If the greatest writer of the written word would have written that story, no one would have believed it. That really was something.

Manufacturing

This Ellis Rugby Rugby Invitation XV Shirt Polo Heritage Style is manufactured from 100% chunky pique cotton. Featured on the Invitation XV Polo shirt is the skull and crossbones crest as well as detailed embroidery, located on the crest. In addition to this the design features contrast inner placket, arm rib and collar stand. Subtle Ellis Rugby branding also appears on the design in the form of detailed embroidery on the back of the Polo. In addition the Ellis Rugby logo features on the arm of the Polo shirt.The Invitation XV Polo shirt is available in sizes S to 4XL.As well as the Invitation Rugby Invitation XV Shirt Polo Heritage Style, we also offer a XV Rugby Shirt Vintage Retro Heritage Style or T-Shirt.

This product includes our unique ‘Story-Teller’ microchip. Scan the garment label on the front, just above the hem. A message will appear on iPhones, tap the icon and the video will launch. Android Smartphones often scan better if the back of the phone is placed over the label. Once the chip is detected the video will launch automatically on your phone.

Please note: The Ellis Rugby ‘Story-Teller’ is an additional feature to our garments. We will not accept returns. Or supply replacements if the tag does not work, or stops working during the garment’s life.

Here’s the video you will see, telling the story behind the garment –