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Ex-England prop Paul Rendall dies
By PA
Former England prop Paul Rendall has died aged 69 following a battle with motor neurone disease.
Rendall won 28 caps in a Test career lasting from 1984 to 1991, playing his final game in a World Cup pool match against Italy, after which he was struck down by an Achilles injury.
Nicknamed ‘The Judge’ because of his role as fines master when on tour, the loosehead came to international rugby late after making his debut against Wales as a 30-year-old.
He played in a fearsome front row completed by Brian Moore and Jeff Probyn before being squeezed out by the emergence of Jason Leonard.
“We lost Paul Rendall ‘The Judge’ today,” said Rendall’s last England captain Will Carling on Twitter.
“The man quietly taught a young captain the importance of enjoying life! He was a master. He was also genuine, kind, loyal and tough. A lovely man.”
The Wasps stalwart, who went on to become head coach and director of rugby at Bracknell RFC, was diagnosed with motor neurone disease last year.
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Latest Comments
It certainly needs to be cherished. Despite Nick (and you) highlighting their usefulness for teams like Australia (and obviously those in France they find form with) I (mention it general in those articles) say that I fear the game is just not setup in Aus and NZ to appreciate nor maximise their strengths. The French game should continue to be the destination of the biggest and most gifted athletes but it might improve elsewhere too.
I just have an idea it needs a whole team focus to make work. I also have an idea what the opposite applies with players in general. I feel like French backs and halves can be very small and quick, were as here everyone is made to fit in a model physique. Louis was some 10 and 20 kg smaller that his opposition and we just do not have that time of player in our game anymore. I'm dying out for a fast wing to appear on the All Blacks radar.
But I, and my thoughts on body size in particular, could be part of the same indoctrination that goes on with player physiques by the establishment in my parts (country).
Go to commentsHis best years were 2018 and he wasn't good enough to win the World Cup in 2023! (Although he was voted as the best player in the world in 2023)
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