Rugby-Pioneers: Ireland v France, 1911

13/02/2007

Ireland v France, 1911

Now it's my turn to comment on Ireland - France in the Tournament... ! Let's go back to 1911...

French weekly newspaper "Le Plein Air" dated March 24, 1911 introduces the "famous Irish scrum half" H.N.Read the day before Ireland welcomes France in Cork.

It was actually the second time that France visited Ireland, two years after their first confrontation ever in Dublin in 1909 (19-8 to Ireland), but the first time in the scope of the "5 Nations Tournament". France was invited to join England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland for the first time in 1910, i.e. 4 years after France international debut against the Blacks and England.

France started the 1911 Tournament with an unexpected victory 16-15 against Scotland that raised some hopes on the French side... followed by three "normal" defeats against England (37-0), Wales (15-0) and Ireland (25-5) the following weeks.

There were a lot a famous "pioneers" on the French side : Communeau (cap.) and Lesieur from Stade Français... Lane, Faillot, Burgun from Racing Club de France... Mounic from Stade Toulousain... Cadenat from SCUF... Mauriat from FC Lyon... Forgues from Aviron Bayonnais... Here they are in "Le Plein Air" (full size pics are here and there).