REMEMBER WHEN...
In 1994, England stopped Wales from winning a Five Nations Grand Slam… In front of Her Maj
IT’S FUNNY how history repeats itself. At times there has been dismay I about the style of rugby played by Steve Borthwick’s England. But in a post-Five Nations mag in 1994, Rugby World was strewn with similar consternation.
In an 18-14 win against France, England kicked and kicked and kicked (sound familiar?). And the justification? They were a team that barely knew each other and had a fragile confidence. Then-editor Peter Bills said of that Paris victory, “Alas, there was one significant drawback. By returning to the strictures of ten-man, percentage rugby, England strangled the lifeblood out of a game that has so dazzled and delighted rugby supporters, especially in Paris.” Captain Will Carling talked of how criticism of their style hurt them. They showed it in the final game. When Wales came to town in search of a Grand Slam – faced with a sell-out crowd and the late Queen in attendance – they met an ambitious and fired-up England. Rory Underwood opened the scoring – England’s first try of the championship!
The forwards, led by Tim Rodber and Jason Leonard, snarled. And, of course, Rob Andrew was kicking. Wales still took the trophy but having expected to face boring old England, they fell 15-8.
As Bills put it, “To see the spark once more within the England side, against
