I recently found this newspaper comic print... a full page portray of England fly-half and captain William John Abbott Davies published in 1922.Say, I've never claimed - by far... - to be a specialist of the history of English Rugby! The name of this gentleman was familiar to me because I used to read his coaching / tactics book ("How to play Rugby Football" and "Rugby Football" published by Webster's in 1923 and 1933 respectively)... but I was far to know his achievements and that he was one of the first inductees to RFU "Wall of Fame".
As Dai Llewellyn puts it :
"Born in Pembroke in Wales in 1890, W.J.A.Davies led England to the Grand Slam in 1921 and 1923. He was also a member of the pre-War Grand Slam winning sides of 1913 and 1914.
He was England’s most capped fly-half with 22 appearances until Rob Andrew’s emergence towards the end of the 20th century, and he captained his country on 11 occasions.
His career was interrupted by the First World War, when, as a naval officer, Davies served aboard HMS Iron Duke, then HMS Queen Elizabeth and was appointed OBE in 1919 in recognition of his naval duty."
Four Grand Slams... despite of a five year break because of WW1... impressive!
He also enjoyed an impressive track record (cf his stats @scrum.com) : 22 played, 20 won, 1 draw (v France, 1922)... and only 1 lost (v South Africa, 1913... his international debut...). Check 1913 teams picture below (hi res picture here) where young Davies (then playing for Royal Naval College) stands in the third row, third from the left.
Let's also share these two pictures below, from W.J.A. Davies' "Rugby Football"
No date (1922 ?) : W.J.A.Davis, leading England at Twickenham, introducing his team to King George V.
W.J.A.Davies formed a notable international half-back partnership with his Royal Navy team-mate Cecil Kershaw; in their 14 matches together for England they never finished on the losing side (13W, 1D)... Here they are, giving a living example of "a short punt and quick follow up" to illustrate "Half back play" chapter...
P.S.: why does RFU have a "Wall of Fame" whereas most other sports do have a "Hall of Fame"... ?? something special to Rugby Union ? ;-)
Hi Fred!
In answer to your Wall query, if you'd read on in the Dai Llewellyn article you would have seen this (attached below:) It really IS a wall, in the impressive RFU Museum of Rugby at Twickers. We in Wales regret hugely the failure to date of the WRU to come up with an equivalent.
Cheers, Phil Atkinson.
The Wall of Fame consists of a series of plaques on the walls of Twickenham Stadium. It acts to honour legends of the world game while celebrating 100 years of rugby at Twickenham. One essential criterion for induction is that each person must have made some sort of impact at the home of rugby. At each test at the stadium two players are inducted onto the wall. The first induction was at the Australia game in 2000, and the inductions will continue until 2010 when 100 players will have been commended.
Posted by: Phil Atkinson | 02/06/2010 at 10:28
Thank you, Phil, I've learnt something this morning!
I HAVE to visit that RFU Museum... My last time at Twickwnham was in 1991...
Indeed, we could both regret that WRU or French FFR do not care enough of their History and legacy of former players (even though some clubs actually do...)
btw, cause or effect, most XXIst century ruggers don't care either...
Posted by: Frederic (www.rugby-pioneers.com) | 02/06/2010 at 11:11
A pioneer of the league should be rememebered.
Posted by: Rugby Games NZ | 23/11/2010 at 15:57
This man is my great great uncle! I still go to Pembroke for holidays.
Posted by: Rob Wells | 14/02/2013 at 22:15
Great!
Please search for WJA Davies on my other website to find other pictures www.flickr.com/rugby_pioneers
Frédéric Humbert
www.rugby-pioneers.com
www.twitter.com/frederic
Posted by: Frederic (www.rugby-pioneers.com) | 14/02/2013 at 22:58