BBC Rugby Union: 45 Years On, England’s Remarkable Journey to Japan

When the England national rugby union team embarked on a groundbreaking tour to Japan in 1979, the sport was vastly different from the modern game they will encounter on Saturday. As the first major nation to visit Tonga and Fiji during that pioneering expedition, England’s journey was an adventure that showcased the dramatic evolution of rugby union over the past four and a half decades.

Back in 1979, the England squad, led by captain Bill Beaumont, received their tour notification letters with a unique request – “please don’t forget your passports.” This simple instruction highlighted the exploratory nature of the trip, a far cry from the meticulously planned preparations overseen by current head coach Steve Borthwick for England’s first official Test match against Japan on Japanese soil.

Refereeing and Player Experiences

Clive Norling, a Welsh referee selected by the Rugby Football Union, was tasked with officiating five of the seven matches on the itinerary, a decision that might have seemed advantageous at the time. However, as former England and Lions winger Peter Squires recounts, Norling’s nationality was not considered “too much of an issue” due to his affable personality and good sense of humor.

Squires, a PE teacher at Harrogate Grammar School during the tour, vividly remembers the excitement of representing England in those days, when being selected for a national team tour was a truly special honor. The financial realities were vastly different, with players receiving only expenses and a modest allowance for three weekly phone calls home, reflecting the amateur nature of the sport.

Challenges Faced During the Tour

The challenges faced by the England squad during the 1979 tour were equally remarkable. In Tonga, the players had to spend time before the match clearing the pitch of stones, as the playing surface was “rock hard.” The heat and humidity in Fiji were equally extreme, testing the players’ physical endurance.

Despite these challenges, England emerged victorious in their historic clash with Tonga, winning 37-17. Squires also played a crucial role in the team’s narrow 21-19 victory over Japan, scoring a late try that prevented a major upset.

“The meticulous planning, comprehensive player analysis, and specialized training regimes that define the modern game are a far cry from the adventurous spirit and amateur ethos that characterized England’s groundbreaking tour in 1979.”

As England prepares to face Japan in the first official Test match between the nations on Japanese soil, the profound changes in the sport over the past 45 years are evident. The meticulous planning, comprehensive player analysis, and specialized training regimes that define the modern game are a far cry from the adventurous spirit and amateur ethos that characterized England’s groundbreaking tour in 1979.

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