St Helen’s ArchivePreserving the past for the future

PH234

Photograph

Private collector

Private collector

1904-1905

Photograph, B&W Digital copy of an original by H A Chapman of Stade Français team at St Helen's 1st April 1905. Dimensions: w16 1/2" x h11 1/2" (w42cm x h29.7cm)

This is a digital copy of a photograph supplied by Frédéric Humbert, rugby collector in Paris. The original shows the Stade Français team that played Swansea RFC at St Helen's on Saturday 1st April 1905. This was the fourth time Swansea had played a combination based on the Stade Français club. The photo was taken by the well respected photographic artist Henry Chapman of 235 High Street, Swansea and the location was by the goal posts at the 'Town End'. The houses of Bryn Road can be seen in the background as can the roof of the pavilion, with its three arches. The Paris club's preference had been to utilise good players from other French clubs to offer better opposition to Swansea, a club enjoying a 'Golden Era'. This team was no exception and included players from five other French rugby teams, as can be seen from the team list. The match was won by Swansea by 31 points to 3. Augustin Pujol at centre, scored the French try. For Swansea Fred Scrine, Harry Hunt, Jim Davies (3) and George Davies (2) scored tries, George Davies kicking five conversions. The photograph features the two Etling brothers Charles and Edmond, Stade Français committee men, who were identical twins. It is not possible to say which is which in the image. One (pictured with flag) performed the duties of touch judge. The brothers were also on the French governing body the Union des Sociétés Françaises de Sports Athlétiques (USFSA), forerunner to the modern FFR. They were instrumental in arranging the visit of the first 'All Blacks' to France in 1906 at the end of their British tour, to play France in that country's first ever international match. A colour version of the original was made possible with the research of Frédéric Humberg in Paris and Herve Padioleau in Nantes. The personnel in the photograph are as follows: Back Row (L to R): Charles or Edmund Etling (Com.), not known, Albert Cuillé (SOET Toulouse), Jean Guy Gautier (Cognac), not known, Charles Beaurin (Stade Français), not known, Albert Branlat (Racing Club de France), Camille Galliot (Stade Français), Louis Picherou (SCUF), M. Auguste (Stade Français), Charles or Edmund Etling (Com.),
Middle Row (L to R): Stuart Forsyth (Stade Français), William Crichton (Havre AC), Julius Meyer (Havre AC), George Jerome Capt. (Stade Français), Henri Auguste Poirrier (Stade Français), Augustin Pujol (SOET Toulouse).
Front Row (L to R): Saint Armand Verges (Stade Français), Ribo (SCUF), Henri Marescal (Stade Français), P. Denance (SCUF), not known.
NB: SOET = Stade Olympien des Etudiantes de Toulouse, SCUF = Sporting Club Universitaire de France, AC = Athletic Club

Stade Français, france, tour, 1905,