Rugby mourns the passing of two giants

Rugby has lost two great people in the last few weeks whom I will remember personally for reasons which recall the true values of our sport.

I first met Mike Slemen when I was selected in the England Squad in 1983. I was the new kid replacing an injured Clive Woodward. I was fearless and quite brash, but petrified as I arrived into the squad which contained most of the 1980 Grand Slam heroes. Mike was my first winger alongside John Carleton - two icons of the game and they made a nervous youngster feel very welcome. We won my first game against Canada that October and were all set for the All Blacks the following month until I dislocated my ankle the next weekend in a County match and by the time I came back they were gone. Some years later I became the first England centre to be picked out of position on the wing - against Wales of all teams in 1990. Mike was an England coaching adviser and took me to all four corners of Twickenham before the match to discuss the swirling winds and how to deal with the challenges of this great stadium. Wise and well chosen words were spoken to help me prepare mentally after some aggressive prematch warnings from the likes of Arthur Emyr my opposite number who had promised me some treatment. As the high balls rained down from the Wales half backs, they forgot that I had learnt my rugby lessons in the Welsh valleys rather than the cultured South East or the Midlands/North which rarely caused our Bath team any problems. With Mike Slemen’s words echoing in my ears, I took every high ball and we gave a good Welsh team a real hiding. Mike, your rugby brilliance was matched by your willingness to help others and I pay tribute to you and with sadness for someone gone way too soon.

As Chairman of European Professional Club Rugby, I am so privileged to travel to the great rugby citadels of Europe and meet the giants of our game. There is no club that understands and appreciates European competition more than Clermont Auvergne. The sad passing of their President Eric de Cromieres from illness recently has been an irreplaceable loss for rugby. Anyone who has been to the Stade Marcel Michelin knows that this is a heartland of rugby. Eric was a wonderful host, often took me to meet the players who regarded him as family, and was loved by fans in equal measure. I always made the effort to visit Clermont because it reminded me why I love the game so much. Eric was a true friend through our rugby connection and I will miss him.

I acknowledge two great heroes of the game from different backgrounds but with the same esprit de corps. They both touched my life.

Whatever the effects of this terrible Pandemic, it will never suppress the true rugby spirit embodied in Mike and Eric.

RIP