Mike SLEMEN

Liverpool schoolteacher Mike Slemen was rated as one of England's finest ever wings, and scored eight tries in 31 internationals between 1976 and 1984. Mike's England career commenced with a 13-12 victory over Ireland in 1976, but his second match resulted in a 30-9 thrashing by Wales. The next three seasons saw a marked improvement in England's performances under the captaincy of Roger Uttley and then Bill Beaumont, but the side were still too inconsistent to maintain a challenge for the Championship.

The 1977 campaign saw England win two of their four matches, with Mike scoring his first international try in a 26-6 victory over Scotland, in addition to scores by Roger Uttley, Charles Kent and Malcolm Young. The following year England also won two from four and Mike scored his second try in a 15-9 win against Ireland. In 1979 England again showed promise but remained inconsistent and only managed a single win against France and a 7-7 draw with Scotland where Mike scored his side's only try.

Things then changed dramatically in 1980 when England won the Grand Slam for the first time since 1957, with Slemen scoring tries against Ireland and Scotland. His try at Murrayfield was one of five scored by England that day, and as with many of England's best moves, it was orchestrated by Clive Woodward. Mike then toured with the British Lions in South Africa and was the leading try scorer, despite having to return home after the first test due to a family illness. In a match against the South African Invitation XV he also scored a try to rival Gareth Edward's famous 1973 effort for the Barbarians. In a move that spanned the length of the field and involved 33 passes and four separate rucks, Mike was eventually on hand to score under the posts. (Jon Collins).

Mike died on 21st. July 2020 aged 69.

Several of England's best forwards were unavailable for the 1981 season due to injury or retirement, but the gifted backline, including Mike Slemen, remained largely intact. However, a combination of factors meant that England were unable to repeat their form of 1980 and they finished midtable. Despite losing their crown to France, England combined with Scotland to produce one of the games of the season at Twickenham, the home side eventually coming out on top 23-17 thanks to tries from Slemen, Clive Woodward and Huw Davies. The 1982 season then began with an enjoyable tussle against Australia at Twickenham, the Wallabies final game of their winter tour.

Mike enjoyed an eventful match and came desperately close to preventing an Australian try in the second half with a phenomenal tackle on Michael Hawker, only to see the ball break loose for winger Brendan Moon to score. Shortly afterwards he made a superb run himself to the far left corner flag but was denied at the death by the cover defence of Hawker and Andrew Slack. No malice was intended by the two Aussies, but Mike suffered a neck injury in the collision and had to be taken off. As Slemen was leaving the field he received a standing ovation from the Twickenham crowd in recognition for his fine efforts for England over the previous six years.

The injury did not prove too serious and he played in all four matches of the 1982 Five Nations where England won two matches from four. Mike scored in England's 16-15 defeat by Ireland, and then registered his eighth and final try in a 17-7 victory over Wales. In 1983 Mike made just one appearance in a solitary test against New Zealand, but was on the winning side for the first time in three matches against the All Blacks as England came through 15-9. His final cap came in a defeat by Scotland in 1984 at the age of 32, before being replaced by the up and coming Rory Underwood. (Jon Collins).

1976 v France (Paris) L 30-9 (FN)

1977 v Wales (Cardiff) L 14-9 (FN)

1978 v New Zealand (Twickenham) L 16-6

Following his debut against Ireland in March 1976
Mike went on to play the next 23 Internationals,
including the 4 games of the 1980 Grand Slam
winning season.

1980 v Ireland (Twickenham) W 24-9 (FN)
1980 v France (Paris) W 17-13 (FN)
1980 v Wales (Twickenham) W 9-8 (FN)
1980 v Scotland (Murrayfield) W 30-18 (FN)

1981 v Wales (Cardiff) L 21-19 (FN)

1981 v Scotland (Twickenham) W 23-17 (FN)

1981 v Ireland (Dublin) W 10-6 (FN)

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

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

1983 v New Zealand (Twickenham) W 15-9