ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

It's 30 years since France scored that epic 'Try of the Century' from beneath their posts

BY Stephen Brunsdon  ·  Tuesday Jan 19, 2021

In March it will be 30 years since Twickenham witnessed perhaps the greatest try ever scored in Five Nations history as Philippe Saint-André slid under the posts following an epic coast-to-coast counter-attack.

ADVERTISEMENT

Coming into the final weekend of the tournament, both France and England had a shot at the Grand Slam after recording three victories apiece.

Coached by former player Daniel Dubroca, France arrived at Twickenham as something of outsiders up against the home side. England, who hadn’t won a Grand Slam since 1980, took the early lead through a Simon Hodgkinson penalty and the full back had a chance to double England’s lead soon after.`

What followed was a try which stunned the local crowd and subsequently was voted at Twickenham’s Try of the Century.

Scrum-half Pierre Berbizier gathered the ball behind the posts but instead of touching down in the in-goal area for a 22m drop-out, he launched an attack from behind his own line.

From then on, it was pure French Flair, with Captain Serge Blanco – in his last 5 Nations appearance for les bleus – feeding winger Jean-Baptiste Lafond who in turn released Philippe Sella down the wing.

ADVERTISEMENT

Sella then interchanged with Didier Camberabero who collected his chip kick at the halfway line and instinctively launched another kick cross-field into swathes of space to leave Saint-André unchallenged to go in under the sticks.

It was a try which instantly became synonymous with French Flair and has since been replayed literally hundreds of times. France, despite this sensational score, went on to lose the match 21-19, as England picked up their first tournament clean-sweep for 11 years.

England, led by head coach Geoff Cooke, would beat France again later in the year during the quarter final stages of the Rugby World Cup. Unlike the Twickenham encounter, this was a ferocious, ugly physical battle.

ADVERTISEMENT

Having lost the match 19-10 in Paris, Dubroca controversially grabbed referee Dave Bishop and accused him of being a cheat, an incident which ultimately led Dubroca to resign, with the recently retired Berbizier taking over.

Related Articles

  • 37 WEEKS AGO

    Five of the best tries from the Investec...

  • 47 WEEKS AGO

    The dummy that sold the whole of Perth -...

  • 48 WEEKS AGO

    Bayonne score 'one of the best tries you'll...



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 1 DAY AGO

    Springbok star scores screamer on debut for Sagamihara Dynaboars

  • 2 DAYS AGO

    Bears fly as 100 metre finish already touted as try of the season

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Hassell-Collins pounces on HUGE Sharks mistake in chaotic scenes

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Supporters can't believe Saracens Sharp's UNBELIEVABLE finish

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Fans in awe as Joyce finishes ‘impossible’ solo try

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Wallabies wunderkind Sua'ali' and Scotland captain Tuipulotu clash

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Ireland 'steal' Argentina's opening try as debate rages

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: The biggest hit from week one of the Autumn Nations Series

  • 10 WEEKS AGO

    'Cheap shot' from Leicester Tigers vs Northampton Saints causing a stir online

  • 10 WEEKS AGO

    Wild moment leads to all in brawl during Welsh derby between Cardiff and Scarlets

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Supporters can't believe Saracens Sharp's UNBELIEVABLE finish

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Fans in awe as Joyce finishes ‘impossible’ solo try

  • 9 WEEKS AGO

    Insane moment as french backrow waves off medic and smokes Ange Capuozzo

  • 9 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible drop goal helps break 25-match losing streak

  • 11 WEEKS AGO

    Leinster fly half delivers insane 50:22 after being given start for Emerging Ireland

View All

Funnies

  • 2 DAYS AGO

    'A dog with a mallet up its arse could’ve written Johnny’s book' Donnacha O'Callaghan

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    ‘The knee slide was too much’ - Ben Earl reflects on THAT viral moment

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    U.S. Army Special Operations Sergeant Major makes big claim about rugby

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    “Put that in the book” - Rieko Ioane’s explosive post reignites feud with Sexton

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    Mischievous Marcus Smith spotted engaging in the dark arts during All Blacks match

View All

Amateur

  • 102 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 102 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 125 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

  • 125 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes At School Boys Rugby Match

  • 125 WEEKS AGO

    The Next Dominant Backrow?

View All

Player Features

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    ‘The knee slide was too much’ - Ben Earl reflects on THAT viral moment

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Marcus Smith makes big call on his future

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    'Eligible for England' - Fans react to South African star's contract announcement

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    The 19-year-old named the 'future' of English rugby after win against Australia A

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Anthony Watson exclusive: 'I wouldn't be surprised if England win'

View All