Salesman Nick Stringer, of Highfield Way, Chorleywood, will be England’s rugby full back in the match against France in Paris on February 20.

The 21-year-old former Rickmansworth School pupil, who won his first cap last month when he came on as a second half replacement against Australia, appeared in the national press this week and was seen by millions of television viewers on Thames Sport.

“It’s a great thrill,” said Nick. “It came as a real surprise when the chairman of the selectors broke the news to me on Sunday.”

Nick, who was playing junior rugby with Fullerians just two years ago, now plays his club rugby at Wasps.

[From the Watford Observer of February 12, 1982]

NOSTALGIA NOTE: Sadly, as the following week’s paper revealed, a hamstring injury deprived Nick of his first full appearance. He eventually made his full debut on November 3, 1984 against Australia at Twickenham. The visitors won 19-3. He was also a starter on January 5 the following year when England beat Romania 22-15 at Twickenham, but that proved the last of his five international caps.

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