Maverick talents that England failed to trust

Brendan Gallagher delves into some of rugby’s most enduring images, their story and why they are still so impactful

- Brendan Gallagher

What’s happening here? It’s the afternoon of Thursday January 13, 1977 and England No.8 Andy Ripley and fly-half Martin Cooper are enjoying themselves immensely as England’s training session before their Calcutta Cup match at Twickenham grinds to a halt in the snow.

Ripley in particular looks in his element – winter sports was the great love of his spectacular sporting life – and frankly he couldn’t be happier. You just know for certain that a snowball fight is about to break out.

What’s the story behind this picture?

England in the 1970s veered from world class – memorable Test wins in South Africa and New Zealand in 1972 and 1973 – to absolutely hopeless Five Nations whitewashes in 1972 and 1976. The one constant, however, was their suspicion of unusual and individualistic talents such as Ripley and Cooper. They didn’t fit a template.