Maurice COLCLOUGH

Maurice Colclough played in 25 tests between 1978 and 1986, forming an excellent second row partnership with Bill Beaumont in the early part of his career and playing an integral part in the 1980 Grand Slam side. Colclough also played in eight tests for the Lions over two series in 1980 and 1983, and though seven of those matches were lost, he made a big name for himself in a red shirt. As well as spells with Wasps and Angouleme in France, Maurice played much of his club rugby for Swansea, where he became a cult figure amongst the Welsh fans. Colclough made his debut for England in a 15-0 win over Scotland in 1978 having taken over from veteran lock Nigel Horton in the second row, and also played in a victory over Ireland. In 1979 Horton was preferred for all four Five Nations matches, but Maurice returned for the 10-9 defeat by New Zealand in the autumn.

Colclough was first choice to partner Beaumont at the start of the 1980 season, but missed the opening match against Ireland through injury. His place was taken by old rival Horton, who was then clumsily informed at the post match banquet that he wouldn't be playing again that season due to Colclough's anticipated return! Maurice indeed played in the remaining three matches, all of which were won to help England to their first Grand Slam since 1957. Colclough then formed part of a powerful Lions pack in South Africa, but the side was generally not quite good enough and lost three of the four tests by narrow margins. In 1981 Maurice featured in all four games of the Five Nations campaign, but England were unable to defend their title. It all came undone for England in their opening match, when they were set to achieve their first victory in Cardiff since 1963. However, with the scores at 19-18 England were undone by Clive Woodward's blunder under the posts which gave a penalty to the opposition and they lost 21-19. (Jon Collins)

At the beginning of the 1982 season England faced Australia in one off test at Twickenham and used their huge pack to nullify a talented Wallaby team. Australia scored two tries, both by Brendan Moon, but England won 15-11 thanks to Marcus Rose's accuracy with the boot and a try by Nick Jeavons. The 1982 Five Nations produced mixed fortunes with two matches from four won, though Maurice was to enter rugby folklore for tricking his Swansea teammate Colin Smart into drinking aftershave following a victory over France! Colclough played in just one game of the 1983 Five Nations, a defeat by France, but was selected again for the British Lions where he again played in all four tests. Now more mature, Maurice had a better tour than in 1980 and even though all of the tests were lost, he helped the Lions pack compete on something like level terms with the All Blacks. However, later in the year Colclough gained revenge when he scored his only international try in England's 15-9 win over New Zealand at Twickenham (the picture above shows Maurice cooling off after scoring! - photo G.Herringshaw.  ©).

Unfortunately, that triumph was not the beginning of a new era and England played poorly in the 1984 Five Nations, losing three of their four matches including a 32-18 drubbing by France in Paris. Maurice played one last season in 1986, featuring in all four matches of a campaign that included defeats by France and Scotland and victories over Wales and Ireland. Maurice retired after the France match, and in doing so was the final member of the 1980 Grand Slam team to call it a day. Colclough may not be talked of in the same breath as the likes of Bill Beaumont or Tony Neary, but he was a highly significant player and set the standard for future stars of the second row such as Paul Ackford, Wade Dooley and Martin Johnson. (Jon Collins)

In 2006 he lost a long battle against a brain tumor and died on 27 January 2006. He was survived by his wife Annie and five children.

1978 v Ireland (Twickenham) W 15-9 (FN)

1979 v New Zealand (Twickenham) L 10-9

1980 v Scotland (Murrayfield) W 30-18 (FN)

1981 v France (Twickenham) L 16-12 (FN)

1982 v Wales (Twickenham) W 17-7 (FN)

1984 v France (Paris) L 32-18 (FN

1984 v Wales (Twickenham) L 24-15 (FN)

1986 v France (Paris) L 29-10 (FN)