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Winger Alan Morley played his rugby for the famous Bristol club and won seven caps for England between 1972 and 1975. He made his debut against South Africa in Johannesburg in 1972, and scored a crucial second-half try after scrum-half Jan Webster had followed up his own kick ahead and dispossessed the Springbok fullback Ray Carlson. Sam Doble converted Alan's try and also knocked over four penalties as England ran out 18-9 winners. Morley next saw action in a 10-0 loss to New Zealand at Twickenham in 1973, and also played in matches against Ireland and Wales in the Five Nations, both of which were lost.
The following year Alan did not play in any tests, but was a surprising choice for the British Lions tour to South Africa. However, with JJ Williams, Billy Steele and Andy Irvine patrolling the wings, Morley was unable to command a test slot. The following year though Alan did get one over on Irvine in England's 7-6 win over Scotland at Twickenham. Both Morley and Irvine raced after the ball as it bounced across the goal line and went down on it together, with the try eventually awarded to Alan. The loss meant that Scotland missed out on the Triple Crown, and an incensed Irvine would later comment "It was very simple, it was either him or me - and it was me. To this day I swear I got to it first and the referee made a mistake. I spoke to Morley afterwards and he agreed. Whether he was being kind or not, it was pretty heartbreaking."
The commentators also agreed that Irvine had got a hand to the ball first, and in response Morley's mother phoned the BBC to complain! Alan would play in just two further tests for England, both on tour in Australia. However England's decision to blood several youngsters backfired and the series was lost 2-0. (Jon Collins)
Alan Morley played a record number of 519 times for Bristol Rugby, scoring 384 tries, between 1968 and 1986. He held the world record for the number of tries scored in first class rugby, at 479 (384 for Bristol).
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