French captain, Georges Aillieres after the win over Wales
Former British Lions Rugby Union representative, Terry Price played five rugby league Tests for Wales, none more headline grabbing than a 8-2 loss to France at Salford’s ‘The Willows’ Stadium in Greater Manchester.
Price was named to start at fullback, but was involved in a road accident on his way to the ground, from Bradford, where he was playing club rugby league.
His place was taken by Kel Coslett (St Helens) for the kick-off, but 20 minutes into the game, Price took to the field.
Without Price, the Welsh had mounted one attacking raid after another, but the French defence was resolute, and the ‘home’ side led only 2-0 (thanks to a Coslett penalty goal) after 25 minutes.
When France had their chance to attack, they played more directly than their rivals, and were rewarded in the 25th minute when prop, Christian Sabatie from Villeneuve-sur-Lot dummied and swerved like a centre, before finning co-prop and skipper, Georges Ailleres (Toulouse) in support. Ailleres crashed through the startled defence and off-loaded to hooker, Yves Begou (Toulouse) who scored near the posts. Former French rugby union five eighth, Jean Capdouze ((XIII Catalan) missed the easy shot at goal.
France’s other try – 15 minutes into the second half – came after an interception by replacement back, Jacques Gruppi (Villeneuve). Gruppi found Michel Molinier (St Gaudens) in support and he did the rest. Capdouze again missed the conversion, but kicked a late penalty goal to give the French their six point winning margin.
The French paid a heavy price for victory with Claude Mantoulan (XIII Catalan), Louis Bonnery (Limoux) and Herve Mazard (Lezignan) all ruled out of the next Tri-Nations match against England, 48 hours later.
That match – at Central Park, Wigan – finished in an 11-all draw with Molinier scoring two tries and Gruppi one. France had led 11-9 with six minutes left, but a field goal by English five eighth, Roger Millward (Hull KR) brought the scores level. England’s try scorers were John Atkinson (Leeds), Sid Hynes (Leeds) and Bill Burgess (Salford).
Footnote: Terry Price, who had toured Australia and New Zealand with the 1966 Rugby Union Lions, toured Australia and New Zealand in 1970 with the Great Britain Rugby League Lions.
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