Career Record: Played 31: Won 22, Lost 9.
1991 v Fiji (Suva) W 28-12
1991 v Australia (Sydney) L 40-15
1992 v Scotland (Murrayfield) W 25-7 (FN)
1992 v Ireland (Twickenham) W 38-9 (FN)
1992 v France (Paris) W 31-13 (FN)
1992 v Wales (Twickenham) W 24-0 (FN)
1992 v Canada (Wembley) W 26-13
1992 v South Africa (Twickenham) W 33-16
1993 v France (Twickenham) W 16-15 (FN)
1993 v Wales (Cardiff) L 10-9 (FN)
1993 v Scotland (Twickenham) W 26-12 (FN)
1993 v Ireland (Dublin) L 17-3 (FN)
1994 v Scotland (Murrayfield) W 15-14 (FN)
1994 v Ireland (Twickenham) L 13-12 (FN)
1994 v South Africa (Pretoria) W 32-15
1994 v South Africa (Cape Town) L 27-9
1994 v Romania (Twickenham) W 54-3
1994 v Canada (Twickenham) W 60-19
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1995 v Ireland (Dublin) W 20-8 (FN)
1995 v France (Twickenham) W 31-10 (FN)
1995 v Wales (Cardiff) W 23-9 (FN)
1995 v Scotland (Twickenham) W 24-12 (FN)
1995 v Argentina (Durban) W 24-18 (W.Cup)
1995 v Italy (Durban) W 27-20 (W.Cup)
1995 v Australia (Cape Town) W 25-22 (W.Cup)
1995 v New Zealand (Cape Town) L 45-29 (W.Cup)
1995 v France (Pretoria) L 19-9 (W. Cup 3rd/4th)
1995 v South Africa (Twickenham) L 24-14
1995 v W. Samoa (Twickenham) W 27-9
1996 v France (Paris) L 15-12 (FN)
1996 v Wales (Twickenham) W 21-15 (FN)
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Brief Biography of his England rugby career.
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When Paul Ackford's brief but successful England career came to an end after the 1991 World Cup, another policeman lock in Martin Bayfield was already waiting in the wings as replacement. At 6'10" Bayfield was one of the tallest players in the history of the game and he used this natural gift to his full advantage, developing into one of England's most potent forward weapons in the 1990s. Martin had already gained some international experience on England's tour to Australia prior to the '91 World Cup, partnering Ackford in the absence of Wade Dooley. He received a hard time by the new Australian sensation John Eales in a one off test in Sydney, but it was good experience to learn from the best in such a tough environment. Martin's first full international season resulted in a Grand Slam (the picture above was taken during the 38-9 victory over Ireland. Photo Stuart Franklin. ©) and the first of three Championship victories
In 1993 he lined up with future second row legend Martin Johnson for the first time and the two would go on to play in eighteen tests together. Bayfield's performances earned him a call up for the 1993 Lions Series to New Zealand where he dominated the lineout in the first two tests before the All Blacks devised special tactics to counteract him. It was during this tour that he injured his neck and spinal column which briefly threatened his career and forced him to miss out on England's 15-9 win over New Zealand in the autumn. The 1995 season was probably Bayfield's best - he matched his achievement of 1992 by playing all four matches of a Grand Slam - and he was a key member of the world cup team that reached the semi-finals in South Africa. The following year Martin took leave from the police in order to concentrate on his rugby, but sadly fell out of favour with coach Jack Rowell. He made just two appearances in the 1996 Five Nations against France and Wales respectively before being permanently discarded after 31 caps. (Jon Collins)
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