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Flanker Mike Teague came from the same West Country breeding stock that has produced so many fine forwards for England over the years and was a key component in the Lions victory over Australia in 1989. A highly versatile player who could slot in anywhere in the back row, Gloucester's finest was strictly "ironman" and employed a rugged training regime that included weight lifting with rocks and gruelling cross country runs. Teague first appeared as a replacement for Jon Hall against France in 1985, and then made his full debut on the summer tour of New Zealand the same year. For reasons unknown, he was then not selected for the best part of four years, eventually playing again in a 12-12 draw with Scotland in 1989. England bungled their chance to win the Championship by losing in Cardiff, but Mike's fine displays had earned himself selection for the British Lions tour to Australia. Teague played superbly in the second and third tests to help turn the series for the Lions, and he was named Player Of The Series.
However, Mike was to suffer heartache in 1990 when England were defeated in the Grand Slam decider at Murrayfield. The 1991 Grand Slam victory expunged that disappointment and Mike helped the cause with close range tries against both Wales and Ireland. That summer, Teague and his fellow forwards were outplayed by their Australian opposite numbers in a one off test in Sydney, but then totally dominated the same pack in the World Cup final at Twickenham. Unfortunately, England's backs could not capitalise on the abundant possession provided to them and the match was lost 12-6. He sat out the 1992 season because of exhaustion and injury, and played his last test against Ireland in England's unsuccessful 1993 campaign. In the summer Mike then made one last international appearance when he came on as a replacement in the British Lions' 20-7 second test victory against New Zealand in Wellington. By being part of that side, he remains one of the few players to retire with a 100% record for the Lions. In total, Mike won 27 caps for England, scoring 3 tries. (Jon Collins)
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Mike Teague pictured playing rugby for England on 2nd. March 1991. Photo G. Herringshaw. ©
England Rugby Caps 1985 - 1993.
1985 v France (Twickenham) D 9-9 (FN)
1985 v New Zealand (Christchurch) L 18-13
1985 v New Zealand (Wellington) L 42-15
1989 v Scotland (Twickenham) D 12-12 (FN)
1989 v Ireland (Dublin) W 16-3 (FN)
1989 v France (Twickenham) W 11-0 (FN)
1989 v Wales (Cardiff) L 12-9 (FN)
1989 v Romania (Bucharest) W 58-3
1990 v France (Paris) W 26-7 (FN)
1990 v Wales (Twickenham) W 34-6 (FN)
1990 v Scotland (Murrayfield) L 13-7 (FN)
1991 v Wales (Cardiff) W 25-6 (FN)
1991 v Scotland (Twickenham) W 21-12 (FN)
1991 v Ireland (Dublin) W 16-7 (FN)
1991 v France (Twickenham) W 21-19 (FN)
1991 v Fiji (Suva) W 28-12
1991 v Australia (Sydney) L 40-15
1991 v New Zealand (Twickenham) L 18-12 (W.Cup)
1991 v Italy (Twickenham) W 36-6 (W.Cup)
1991 v France (Paris) W 19-10 (W.Cup)
1991 v Scotland (Murrayfield) W 9-6 (W.Cup)
1991 v Australia (Twickenham) L 12-6 (W.Cup Final)
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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)
Mike won 3 British Lions caps, 2 in 1989 v. Australia
and 1 in 1993 v. New Zealand. He played in both the
Lions 1989 Test victories against Australia and was
Player of the Series
On 19/1/91 he scored the only try of England's
25-6 win v. Wales in Cardiff (first win in Cardiff for
28 years).
In 1991 Mike was a member of the Grand Slam team
and World Cup Finalist.
Career Record: P27, W16, D2, L9
Test Points: 12
Tries: 3
(R) = Replacement |