RUGBY - France national team

A very rare 1911 French national team jersey worn by Antoine Francquenelle during the match against Scotland on 2 January 1911. This match is historic as it marked the French team’s first victory in the Five Nations tournament, with a score of 15–16. A small insert, the contents of which are given below, provides further context for this match: It was freezing cold that day. As for the match itself, there is little to write home about. The build-up to the match, however, was anything but ordinary. Firstly, 5,000 shivering spectators, who had paid 20 sous each for their tickets, stormed the 3-franc stand, where brazier heaters had been set up. In the French changing room, panic ensued. Centre Vareilles was nowhere to be seen. Travelling from Romans, at Melun station where his train was due to stop for half an hour, he had the bad idea of popping into the station buffet for a snack. But, to make up for a delay, the train set off sooner than expected, leaving Vareilles on the platform. No Vareilles for this opening match of the 1911 Tournament against Scotland. No Francquenelle, the substitute, either, when it came to getting kitted out. Muhr, the head coach, set about finding a centre capable of holding his own in an international match. Kick-off is scheduled in half an hour. In the crowd, he spots Duval and Dedet. He asks them to play against the Scots. But having been out feasting during the festive period (it is 2 January), they declare themselves unfit for duty. Muhr is at a bit of a loss when Laffitte from Bordeaux—dressed as a sergeant in the 103rd Infantry Regiment, who had been sitting in the stands—is brought to him. Mobilised on the spot, Laffitte was sent in a hurry to the French team’s changing rooms. He had just begun to undo his boots and calf straps when, just before kick-off, Francquenelle – the official substitute who had missed his train at Saint-Lazare – arrived. Laffitte was dismissed on the spot and Francquenelle hurriedly pulled on his first international shirt Certificate of Authenticity (COA) available on request.

Estimate:$100,801.98

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