February 23 down the years
Catchside scores on a day ending with a rag
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Players battle for the ball during England's win over France in 1924 © Scrum.com
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1924
Carston Catcheside dangerously hurdled a French opponent to cross for a try in England's 19-7 victory in front of the King at Twickenham. Catcheside was on his way to scoring a try in all four rounds of the Five Nations, the first player to achieve that feat. Both teams then headed to the Grafton Galleries - not an artistic establishment but a nightclub - where they ended up joining in the cabaret which was, the Daily Mirror noted, "reduced to a 'rag'".

1929
Unusual pre-match preparations for the players in Dublin before Ireland's 16-7 loss to Scotland. With 40,000 packed into the ground, they joined police to force spectators back off the pitch, having to repeat the exercise several times during the game before play could continue. Ireland, who came into the match on the back of wins over France and England, led until 15 minutes from the end as Scotland ran in three late tries.

2008
England staged their best away performances in the Six Nations for five years to beat France convincingly (24-13) in Paris. Jonny Wilkinson kicked 14 points as England won a Six Nations match there for the first time since 2000. Paul Sackey scored England's first, with Richard Wigglesworth burrowing over for the winner.

1980
The second round John Player Cup tie between Coventry and Gloucester made the headlines not for the visitors' last-kick win but because a vandal had thrown tin-tacks, marbles and broken glass onto the pitch before the game. The surface was cleared but more items were thrown onto the playing area from outside the ground during the game. A club official said the actions were those of "cranky students or left-wingers" angered because the club had played host to the South African Barbarians.

1974
Ireland hooker Ken Kennedy was pictured in a number of tabloids, not necessarily for his good looks but because it emerged he was dating Shelley Latham who he was pictured with. Latham was Miss South Africa who he had met at the Miss World contest the previous year. Although the pair later got engaged they did not marry.

2008
As England triumphed in Paris, Wales completed the third leg of their Grand Slam by thrashing Italy 47-8 at the Millennium Stadium. Lee Byrne crossed twice and Tom Shanklin picked up an interception try, but the game belonged to the impish Shane Williams, who scored twice to continue his fairytale season.

1963
England registered their first victory over France for five years, winning 6-5 thanks to two John Willcox penalties. Beforehand hot air techniques were used for the first time at Twickenham to keep frost out of the playing surface. France scored the only try of the game through centre Guy Boniface, who was playing alongside his brother, Andre, in midfield.

1996
The citing of players for incidents of foul play was formally accepted by SANZAR for subsequent introduction in Super 12 matches.

2003
Scotland slumped to their heaviest Paris defeat with a 38-3 reverse. In a Sunday Six Nations, France left them rooted to the bottom of the Championship table. Fabien Pelous, Aurelien Rougerie, Clement Poitrenaud and Damien Traille all breached the Scottish defence for tries and fly-half Francois Gelez helped himself to a personal haul of 18 points.

1907
Cardiff visited London Welsh for the first time and returned victors by 22 points to nil.

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