- Ask Steven
England's Carter-sized Achilles heel
John GriffithsDecember 10, 2013
Dan Carter played on his tenth winning side for New Zealand against England recently. Which players have a better Test record against the English? Jeff Collins, England
The only player who was on more winning sides against England in cap matches was the Welsh full-back JPR Williams. Between 1969 and 1981 he played eleven times against their oldest enemy and had a 100% record.
Wales's only defeats against England between the 1963 Cardiff loss and 1982 Twickenham reverse were in 1974 and 1980. JPR was unavailable owing to injury for the game played in March 1974 (when Roger Blyth of Swansea was Wales's full-back) and he retired from Test rugby in 1979, Blyth again occupying the #15 position at Twickenham in February 1980.
JPR came out of international retirement for the WRU centenary season in 1980-81 and played in the side that beat England 21-19 thanks to an injury-time penalty goal when Clive Woodward strayed offside.
Gareth Edwards was in ten of Wales's winning sides against England between 1967 and 1978 and Fabien Pelous of France also played in ten wins against them.
John Griffiths is a widely respected rugby historian and is the author of several sports books, a regular contributor to the Daily Telegraph and co-author of the IRB International Rugby Yearbook. He has provided insight for Scrum.com since 1999.
