St Helen’s ArchivePreserving the past for the future

MP0011

Match programme

Swansea RFC Memorabilia Community Interest Company

Swansea RFC

1945-1946

Match programme, Wales v France at St Helen's 22 December 1945

This is a match programme from the Wales v France game at St Helen's on Saturday 22nd December 1945. It was one of a series known as the "Victory Internationals" for which Wales awarded caps retrospectively. Wales won the match by 8 - 0. Wales great Bleddyn Williams made both Wales tries, the second being an accurate cross-kick for Sedley Davies to score. It was also the first time a French representative rugby team played in Britain since 1931. This was due to the suspension of matches against France due to accusations of professionalism (paying players) and then the Second World War. The French forwards were magnificent with a brilliant back row of Guy Basquet, Jean Matheu and the great Jean Prat. Huge lock Robert Soro made his first appearance in Britain. He would go on to become "Le Lion de Swansea" when France beat Wales at St Helen's in 1948, their first ever win in Wales. Soro's jersey from the 1948 match is in the St Helen's Archive collection (see: JY011).

france, victory internationals, robert soro,