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Quote; The Times
Andy Ripley, the former England and Rosslyn Park back-row forward, has died after losing a five-year fight with cancer. He was 62.
One of the most colourful personalities in the history of English rugby, Ripley won 24 caps for England between 1972 and 1976. A gangling 6ft 5in tall No 8, Ripley terrorised defences with his full-blooded running style which one observer said would “remain forever an image to brighten the day.”
Famous for his flowing locks streaming out of a headband, Ripley played a prominent part in England’s victories over South Africa and the All Blacks in the early 1970s, before making his name in 1974 by scoring the winning try in England’s first victory against Wales at Twickenham since 1960. Later that year he toured with the British Lions to South Africa, where they were unbeaten in 22 matches and won the Test series 3-0.
Born in Liverpool on December 1 1947, Ripley was educated at Greenway comprehensive school in Bristol and the University of East Anglia. He started playing rugby only at university at the age of 19, having been at a school that favoured football. He spent his whole rugby career at Rosslyn Park, playing until he was 41.
His battle with cancer began in 2005, when he a tumour was found in his prostate. By 2007 he had apparently made such a good recovery that he published his diary, the subtitle of which was The Rugby Icon’s Ultimate Victory Over Cancer. But the disease returned in 2008 and early this year reached his skull and affected the optic nerves.
One of my boyhood heroes.....
Andy Ripley, the former England and Rosslyn Park back-row forward, has died after losing a five-year fight with cancer. He was 62.
One of the most colourful personalities in the history of English rugby, Ripley won 24 caps for England between 1972 and 1976. A gangling 6ft 5in tall No 8, Ripley terrorised defences with his full-blooded running style which one observer said would “remain forever an image to brighten the day.”
Famous for his flowing locks streaming out of a headband, Ripley played a prominent part in England’s victories over South Africa and the All Blacks in the early 1970s, before making his name in 1974 by scoring the winning try in England’s first victory against Wales at Twickenham since 1960. Later that year he toured with the British Lions to South Africa, where they were unbeaten in 22 matches and won the Test series 3-0.
Born in Liverpool on December 1 1947, Ripley was educated at Greenway comprehensive school in Bristol and the University of East Anglia. He started playing rugby only at university at the age of 19, having been at a school that favoured football. He spent his whole rugby career at Rosslyn Park, playing until he was 41.
His battle with cancer began in 2005, when he a tumour was found in his prostate. By 2007 he had apparently made such a good recovery that he published his diary, the subtitle of which was The Rugby Icon’s Ultimate Victory Over Cancer. But the disease returned in 2008 and early this year reached his skull and affected the optic nerves.
One of my boyhood heroes.....