French mean machine generate masterpiece

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

- Brendan Gallaghe

What’s happening here?

It’s February 5, 1977, half an hour before kick off at a packed Parc des Prince and Les Blues have assembled for their traditional pre-match team photograph. But this isn’t any ordinary French team, it is possibly their strongest ever side, certainly the meanest and most intimidating team they have ever fielded. They are about to play Wales and although this is their opening game of the Five Nations – and Wales’ second – everybody in the rugby world knows this is the Grand Slam decider.

What is the story behind the picture?

The rivalry with Wales in the 70s was acute, as was to be expected among two of the greatest sides the game has ever seen. In terms of the Five Nations, Wales held sway with three Grand Slams to France’s one though this France team of 1977 was essentially the side that also won the 1981 Grand Slam. The French also point to three victories over the All Blacks during the Seventies while the great Wales team of that era didn’t manage one. However you score it their constant tussle for bragging rights was the main narrative of European rugby.

The season before, 1976, Wales had gloriously marched to possibly their best Grand Slam under the captaincy of Mervyn Davies with their 19-13 win over France in Cardiff the key clash. Twelve months on the two combatants girded their loins again although, alas, Davies was absent, having been forced to retire with a brain haemorrhage.