Les Bleus announce themselves to the world

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 August 16, 1958 and France are playing the Springboks at Ellis Park in the second Test of their first ever tour of South Africa; in fact their first overseas tour of any description. The man in possession was not named by photographer Philippe LeTellier, who along with L’Equipe’s Denis Lelanne accompanied the tour, but is almost certainly Paris University right wing Guy Stener.

What’s the story behind the picture?

After many false starts this was the tour and indeed the game when France truly announced themselves as a major force in World Rugby. Up until this juncture they were generally viewed as interesting and talented mavericks – albeit often badly behaved in the sense of flouting professionalism rules – who were too inconsistent and flaky on the pitch to trouble the very best on a regular basis.

But 1958 brought a sea change even though an auspicious year didn’t start particularly well. After being whitewashed in the 1957 Five Nations, Les Bleus opened up their next campaign with another two defeats but then, under the captaincy of lock Michel Celaya and then Maurice Prat, they won the final two games of the tournament against Wales and Ireland. They then beat an obdurate Italy 11-3 in Naples in an end-of-season Test for the selected South African tour party. As it happens Prat couldn’t tour and Celeya was succeeded as captain by athletic lock Lucian Mias, an inspired appointment.