Legendary New Zealand international Don Clarke was born on this day in 1933 © Getty Images

Enlarge

1933
Legendary New Zealand fullback Don Clarke was born in Pihama. A big man, his fame was built around his superb goal-kicking success that earned him the nickname 'The Boot'. An old-style toe-kicker, his kicking exploits included a touchline conversion in gale-force winds against France in Wellington in 1961 and a monster 65-yard penalty to clinch a 9-6 victory over England in 1969. Sir Wilson Whineray, who captained Clarke in all but six of his 31 Tests, once said of his team-mate. "On the field he was like a huge energy force behind you. Even when he missed a kick, it could have a devastating effect on the opposition." He scored a total of 781 points for the All Blacks (207 in Test matches) which was a record that stood for 24 years until his mark was eclipsed by Grant Fox in 1988.

1990
Hugo Porta made his final Test appearance in Argentina's 49-3 loss to Scotland at Murrayfield - bowing out injured after only 16 minutes. Capped 60 times by the Pumas between 1971 and 1999, he originally retired after the inaugural Rugby World Cup in 1987 but was called back into action against England, Ireland and the Scots for the 1990 tour. After retiring again he was later installed as the Argentinean ambassador to South Africa in 1991. Then, in 1994, he took up a post as the Argentinean Sports Minister and served in the post until 1999. He made one final appearance for the Pumas the same year against a World XV.

1965
Wales and British & Irish Lions scrum-half Rob Jones was born in Trebanos. He made his Wales debut against England in 1986 at Twickenham and went on to make 53 appearances for his country and claim three Test caps for the Lions. He helped Wales claim third place at the 1987 Rugby World Cup and was also part of the side that won the Triple Crown in 1988. He toured Australia with the Lions the following year and another World Cup appearance followed in 1991. He travelled to New Zealand with the Lions in 1993 but failed to win further Test honours and made his third and final World Cup appearance in South Africa in 1995. Following his retirement, Jones became a rugby pundit on the radio and an assistant coach with Llanelli Scarlets.

1963
The French Federation introduced a provincial trial system leading to national team selection. Côte Basque defeats Paris, who included Home Unions internationals Ronnie Thomson, David Marques and Andy Mulligan, all students at Paris University.

1945
South African Forces beat New Zealand Forces 30-5 in Rapallo. South Africa's Stephen Fry and Cecil Moss and New Zealand's John McNab went on to feature in full-blown post-war Tests between the nations.

1951
The Fourth Springboks went down to the only defeat of a 31-match European tour, losing 11-9 to the London Counties at Twickenham.

1957
The Fourth Wallabies were defeated in only their second tour match, losing 12-6 to Oxford University who were inspiringly led by flanker Peter Robbins.

1947
Norman Davies, the Cross Keys hooker who a week earlier had featured prominently in the first Welsh Rugby Union Trial of the season, announced that he has signed for Leeds RL club.