From The Vaults

A keen sportsman, he played rugby as a number 8, wing and centre for both Olympique de Paris and Stade Francais, winning the French Championship in 1897, 1898 and 1901.

One of the most remarkable matches in the history of international rugby took place between France and Scotland in Paris on 1st January 1920. This was the fifth time these two countries had met on the rugby field and the first match since their infamous encounter in Paris in 1913.

Raphael Ibanez, the former French captain, should be known as the king of hookers, since he retired as the most capped hooker in the world with 98 appearances for his country.

Wales were the proud hosts of the 1999 Rugby World Cup and, like England in 1991, they chose to share key matches with their neighbours. This meant that Twickenham would be called upon to host several pool matches and both semi-finals.

Alfred Mayssonnié was the first international rugby player to be killed during the Great War. Known to his teammates as 'Maysso' he was as an influential play-making half-back and one of Stade Toulouse's founder members.