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Gloucester prop Mike Burton earned 17 caps for England between 1972 and 1978, but was dropped on numerous occasions due to the vagaries of the selection system. Mike made his debut in England's first "whitewash" season of the 1970s in a defeat by Wales, but was part of the side that stunned South Africa 18-9 later in the year. He missed out in 1973, but returned for the 1974 season and his performances against France and Wales earned him a British Lions call up. He did not play in the tests, but proved an effective part of the midweek side.
In one match Mike's skipper Willie John McBride was being given a hard time by opposition lock Johann De Bruyn, a player with only one eye. At half time McBride turned to Mike and said "You're going to have to do something absolutely despicable. You're going to have to hit him in his good eye!" The following year Mike played in just once Championship match, a victory over Scotland, and both tests of England's tour to Australia. It was in the second game at Ballymore that Mike earned notoriety for becoming the first English player to be sent off in an international when he was alleged to have delivered a high tackle on winger Doug Osbourne.
The offence was seen in context of the violence that surrounded it and he was not suspended. The following January Mike then took revenge by being part of the side that beat a much weaker Wallaby side at Twickenham 23-6. Unfortunately, Burton then suffered another whitewash as England lost all four Five Nations matches for the second time in five seasons. His final caps came two years later in losses to France and Wales. In retirement Mike became heavily involved in corporate hospitality and was one of the pioneers of the "Rugby Weekend" package. (Jon Collins)
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Mike Burton pictured on 17th November 1977. Photo G. Herringshaw. ©
Career Record: Played 17, Won 4, Drew 1, Lost 12.
1972 v Wales (Twickenham) L 12-3 (FN)
1972 v Ireland (Twickenham) L 16-12 (FN)
1972 v France (Colombes) L 37-12 (FN)
1972 v Scotland (Murrayfield) L 23-9 (FN)
1972 v South Africa (Johannesburg) W 18-9
1974 v France (Paris) D 12-12 (FN)
1974 v Wales (Twickenham) W 16-12 (FN)
1975 v Scotland (Twickenham) W 7-6 (FN)
1975 v Australia (Sydney) L 16-9
1975 v Australia (Brisbane) L 30-21
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1976 v Australia (Twickenham) W 23-6
1976 v Wales (Twickenham) L 21-9 (FN)
1976 v Scotland (Murrayfield) L 22-12 (FN)
1976 v Ireland (Twickenham) L 13-12 (FN)
1976 v France (Paris) L 30-9 (FN)
1978 v France (Paris) L 15-6 (FN)
1978 v Wales (Twickenham) L 9-6 (FN)
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