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David Duckham, the famed England and Lions player, has died
By Liam Heagney
Championship club Coventry have paid tribute to David Duckham, their former England and British and Irish Lions player, who has died. The winger also featured in the famed 1973 win for the Barbarians over the All Blacks at Cardiff Arms Park, the match that featured the so-called greatest try of all-time scored by Gareth Edwards.
A tweet read: “Coventry Rugby is incredibly sad to learn of the news that David Duckham - ex-Coventry, England and British and Irish Lions player - has died, aged 76. Donned as arguably the ‘greatest’ ever Coventry player, our thoughts go out to David’s family at this difficult time.
“The club will demonstrate a minute’s silence prior to kick-off at this Saturday’s match against Jersey and will be looking to organise a celebration of life for David, subject to conversations with the family. Rest in peace, David.”
The RFU tweeted: "All at the Rugby Football Union are saddened to learn of the death of David Duckham MBE. Duckham played 36 times for England, scoring ten tries, and was also part of the revered Lions squad of 1971 that defeated New Zealand. Our thoughts are with his family and friends."
Touted as one of the finest players to ever play for his country, Duckham played 36 games for England from 1969 to 1976, scoring ten tries.
He debuted versus Ireland and formed a midfield partnership with John Spencer, but his side-stepping ability resulted in a switch to the wing and he went on to score eleven tries in 16 tour matches for the 1971 Lions in New Zealand.
He was also the only England back chosen by the Barbarians in their now 50-year-old victory over the All Blacks.
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Latest Comments
It is if he thinks he’s got hold of the ball and there is at least one other player between him and the ball carrier, which is why he has to reach around and over their heads. Not a deliberate action for me.
Go to commentsI understand, but England 30 years ago were a set piece focused kick heavy team not big on using backs.
Same as now.
South African sides from any period will have a big bunch of forwards smashing it up and a first five booting everything in their own half.
NZ until recently rarely if ever scrummed for penalties; the scrum is to attack from, broken play, not structured is what we’re after.
Same as now.
These are ways of playing very ingrained into the culture.
If you were in an English club team and were off to Fiji for a game against a club team you’d never heard of and had no footage of, how would you prepare?
For a forward dominated grind or would you assume they will throw the ball about because they are Fijian?
A Fiji way. An English way.
An Australian way depends on who you’ve scraped together that hasn’t been picked off by AFL or NRL, and that changes from generation to generation a lot of the time.
Actually, maybe that is their style. In fact, yes they have a style.
Nevermind. Fuggit I’ve typed it all out now.
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