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Wales Match worn shirt - Gwyn Francis v New Zealand Army 1919
Item Number: 5184
This exceptionally rare item of Rugby Union Memorabilia is a Welsh International Jersey worn by Gwyn Francis against the New Zealand Army at Swansea in April 1919. The shirt carries the hand-stitched embroidery you would expect from the era together with the maker clearly labelled to the inside of the shirt. (as shown). It is faded but overall presented in remarkably good condition. The shirt was part of a large private collection recently obtained by Spirit of Sport. Francis was educated at Jesus College, Oxford, where he was part of the college rugby team that won the Oxford University inter-collegiate cup in 1920. Francis also played for the University rugby team, winning his "Blue" in 1919. He won his first cap for Wales in 1919, playing at lock in a friendly against a New Zealand Services XV. In 1921 he took charge of
Rugby at Reading School, and in 1924 captained London Welsh RFC and Surrey RFC. He won his second cap in 1924, playing against Scotland in the Home Nations Championship. He was a rugby referee for 28 years, and helped to found the Berkshire Rugby Football Union, serving as chairman for 24 years. A club room at Redingensians R.F.C. (a club that was formed for
former pupils of Reading School) is named after Francis, as is a prize awarded by Berkshire rugby referees for club hospitality.
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