Rugby-Pioneers: This V(I) Nations Tournament sounds like 1930...

After two games, it seems that this 2011 VI Nations Tournament sounds like 1930 Tournament, at least from a French perspective... 2011 and 1930 calendar were the same for the French side... and so were results after two games : as this postcard reads, 1930 French team had a good start first defeating Scotland (7-3) in Paris (Stade de Colombes) and then managing a 5-0 away victory in Belfast... two victories in a row for the first time in French rugby history, before challenging England in Twickenham for the third game...

This team picture shows the French line-up before playing the Scots : standing (from l to r) Bioussa, Bigot, Ambert, Camel, Choy, Majerus, Gallia - sitting : Houdet, Gérald, Serin, Piquemal, Ribère cap, Magnanou, Baillette, Samatan.

Here is a snapshot of the game (in "Miroir des Sports")... Jean Gallia leading French forwards... (btw pls check that other interesting picture of Gallia at half-time)

Second victory in Ireland was celebrated in Paris, not only because it was France best start ever in the Tournament, but also because French coach Jules Cadenat - a famous prop in pre WW1 era, and also a wine merchant by occupation - had had the weird idea of bringing a barrel of red wine at half time... O tempora, O mores... This great illustration by André Galland in "Le Petit Journal Illustré" - actually not a sports newspaper- captures it all...

Bad omen for 2011 Frogs ? they've then played a serious game in Twickenham but lost 5-11 to England, which will eventually win the Tournament...

As a teaser... a fantastic view on the dense crowd in Twickenham South Terrace attending the game...

In fact, I'm not sure about the date (I can't remember from which old book this pic comes from... sorry for the credit...) but no doubt about "France"...

Here is one of the many photographies published by Illustrated London News after the game : French scrumhalf L.Serin scoring the first try of the game... more pictures in a fortnight after the 2011 game is played !