Andy Ripley is pictured above playing for his club side Rosslyn Park, South London.
Career Record: Played 24: Won 8, Drew 1, Lost 15.
Test Points: 8
Tries: 2.
Andy Ripley died aged 62 of prostate cancer on 17th June 2010.
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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
1973 v New Zealand (Twickenham) L 9-0
1973 v Wales (Cardiff) L 25-9 (FN)
1973 v Ireland (Dublin) L 18-9 (FN)
1973 v France (Twickenham) W 14-6 (FN)
1973 v Scotland (Murrayfield) W 20-13 (FN)
1973 v New Zealand (Auckland) W 16-10
1973 v Australia (Twickenham) W 20-3
1974 v Scotland (Murrayfield) L 16-14 (FN)
1974 v Ireland (Twickenham) L 26-21 (FN)
1974 v France (Paris) D 12-12 (FN)
1974 v Wales (Twickenham) W 16-12 (FN)
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1975 v Ireland (Dublin) L 12-9 (FN)
1975 v France (Twickenham) L 27-20 (FN)
1975 v Scotland (Twickenham) W 7-6 (FN
1975 v Australia (Sydney) L 16-9
1975 v Australia (Brisbane) L 30-21
1976 v Australia (Twickenham) W 23-6
1976 v Wales (Twickenham) L 21-9 (FN)
1976 v Scotland (Murrayfield) L 22-12 (FN)
Following his debut against Wales in 1972, Andy
went on to play in 22 of the next 23 Internationals.
In 1980 he displayed his all-round sporting
prowess with victory in the British Superstars
TV show!
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Biography of his England rugby career.
Long of hair and loud of mouth, Andy Ripley was a larger than life character who in the 1970s brought skill and excitement to England sides that were otherwise dull and unimaginative. The Rosslyn Park number 8 played 24 tests for England between 1972 and 1976 before being unceremoniously dumped by the selection committee during the whitewash of that year. Upon his introduction to the England set up, Ripley formed an excellent understanding with flanker Tony Neary and their intricate combinations were often the highlight of many a drab England performance. Like the Broughton player, Ripley was an excellent ball handler and even scored the winning try against Wales in 1974, England's sole triumph over the Red Dragon during the 1970s.
He also touched down in England's 20-3 win over Australia in 1973, the third leg of an amazing grand slam of victories for England over the Southern Hemisphere nations in the space of 16 months. Unlike the understated and clean cut Neary, Ripley was a consummate extrovert, revelling in a rock star image both on and off the field at a time when English rugby players were distinctly low profile. Ripley toured with the Lions in 1974, but was kept out of the test side by Merv 'The Swerve' Davies. Many felt the selection decision was a close run thing. Although he did not feature in the tests, "Rippers" was a great tourist and played up his media image by wearing home made T-shirts pronouncing such gems as "I'm so perfect - It scares me".
Andy's lust for adventure was not extinguished with the ending of his England career. Indeed, he was the mastermind behind the Barbarian's historic victory in the 1981 Hong Kong Sevens and led Rosslyn Park to two Cup Finals. A fitness fanatic, he made frequent appearances on the Superstars programme and was victorious in the 1980 competition. Later on he channelled his energies into rowing and in 1997 came desperately close to earning a Blue for Cambridge University at the age of 49 ! (Jon Collins)
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