Description
Introduction to the Vintage France Rugby T-Shirt
This Vintage France Rugby T-Shirt is inspired by the great France Rugby Union teams from the history of the game.
France won their second ever Grand Slam in the 1977 Five Nations Rugby Championships. This was their Captain, Jacques Fouroux’s final season of international rugby and fitting that such a respected leader should bow out at the top of his game.
Fouroux was only 5 ft 3” tall and was one of the smallest players ever to play international rugby. He had confidence. With his arrogant leadership style, meant that he had the experience and was often compared with Napoleon Bonaparte. Jacques Fouroux had the Emperor Of France’s nickname “the little Corporal” throughout his career.
He won 27 international caps, 23 as captain. In 1981 he became the coach of France and won a Grand Slam in his first Five Nations tournament. Also, under Fouroux’s leadership, France dominated the Five Nations. In the ten years that he managed the side, France won the Five Nations on six occasions. And won a further Grand Slam in 1987.
The 1977 France Rugby Union 5 Nations Championship Grand Slam
France are often criticised for constantly changing the selection of their teams. But in 1977 the same fifteen players were used in every game. This consistency paid dividends for the French. Wales were favourites to win the Championship. However, they were comfortably beaten at the Parc des Princes in Paris by 16 points to 9. Dominique Harize and Jean-Claude Skrela scored tries. The ASM Clermont Auvergne Fly-Half Jean-Pierre Romeu kicked one conversion and two penalties. In reply for Wales Steve Fenwick kicked three penalties.
France’s tightest game held against England was when they narrowly won by 4 points to 3. François Sangalli scored the lone French try and Alastair Hignell kicked a penalty goal for England.
A much more comfortable victory followed a few weeks later in Paris. When a dominant France team thrashed Scotland by 23 points to 3. Tries through Roland Bertranne, Dominique Harize, Alain Paco and Robert Paparemborde. Jean-Pierre Romeu added two conversions and a penalty goal. Scotland could only respond with a lone Andy Irvine penalty goal.
The final game was on the 19th March 1977 at Lansdowne Road Stadium in Dublin in front of a crowd of 50,000. Ireland scored two tries through Mike Gibson and Mick Quinn. And although France only scored one try through Jean-Pierre Bastiat. It was the kicking of Jean-Michel Aguirre with one conversion & two penalties and Jean-Pierre Romeu’s penalty that gave France a comfortable final score of 15 points to 6.
Manufacturing
Manufactured from satin touch 100% cotton, the Ellis Rugby Vintage France Rugby T-Shirt features detailed embroidery on the vintage French Coq, herringbone detail on vents and velvet tape on the neck opening. In addition to it a stylish ’12’ flock print number on the back with the subtle Ellis Rugby branding on the arm.
Available in sizes S – 4XL.
As well as the Vintage France Rugby T-Shirt, we offer a Retro France Rugby Shirt Polo and Vintage France Rugby Shirt.