Sam Doble
Encyclopedia
Samuel 'Sam' Arthur Doble (9 March, 1944 - September 1977) was an English
rugby union
full-back who played international rugby for England
and club rugby for Moseley
. He was a Wolverhampton
school teacher by profession.
in the 1971/72 domestic season, an achievement that earned him a call up. His debut was one to remember, an 18-9 victory over South Africa
in Johannesburg
, against a side that were considered to be the unofficial World Champions. England were on the back foot early on when they lost prop Brian 'Stack' Stevens
to injury and had to contest seven man scrums for twenty minutes. However, the visiting side's makeshift front row did not lose one strike against the head and England gradually took control of the game when Stevens returned. With the forwards keeping the Springboks at bay, Doble scored four penalties and converted Alan Morley's second half try from the touchline to help England to a most unlikely victory. Despite his heroics in South Africa, Sam was destined to play in just two more matches, a 9-0 loss to New Zealand
early in 1973 and a 25-9 loss to Wales
in the following Five Nations
campaign. England were outscored by five tries to nil, but Doble did manage to sign off his international account with two penalties to augment a drop goal by Dick Cowman. Then, just four years later, at around 4.30pm when referees around the country were blowing their whistles, Sam died of a rare form of lymphatic cancer. His life was honoured with a special match between the Rugby Writers International XV and Moseley later in the year, and he is still fondly remembered by all those who knew him. Thirty years on, the victorious England side of Ellis Park '72 met up at Twickenham
to watch Clive Woodward
's England beat South Africa 53-3. Doble was the only player missing from the line-up.
Moseley v International Rugby Writers XV
Sunday 27 November 1977
Moseley 19 points International Rugby Writers XV 43 points
Moseley
15 C A Meanwell;
14 A Thomas,
13 M K Swain,
12 B J Corless,
11 P Beddoes;
10 M J Cooper
,
9 C J Gifford;
1 T F Corless,
2 G N Cox,
3 W H Greaves,
4 R Field,
5 B Ayre,
6 J C White,
8 N C Jeavons
,
7 D G Warren
Scorers
Tries: P Beddoes, B J Corless, C A Meanwell
Conversons: M Cooper (2)
Penalties: C A Meanwell
International Rugby Writers XV
15 J P R Williams
(Bridgend
/Wales
);
14 P J Squires
(Harrogate
/England
),
13 S P Fenwick
(Bridgend/Wales),
12 T G R Davies
(Cardiff
/Wales),
11 A R Irvine
(Heriot's FP/Scotland
);
10 P Bennett
(Llanelli
/Wales),
9 G O Edwards
(Cardiff/Wales);
1 F E Cotton
(Sale
/England),
2 P J Wheeler (Leicester
/England),
3 G Price
(Pontypool
/Wales),
4 W B Beaumont
(Fylde
/England),
5 A J Martin
(Aberavon
/Wales),
6 T J Cobner
(Pontypool/Wales),
8 D L Quinnell
(Llanelli/Wales),
7 A Neary
(Broughton Park/England)
Replacements
Jan Webster (Moseley/England),
A Ripley
(Rosslyn Park
/England),
A G Faulkner
(Pontypool/Wales),
R W Windsor
(Pontypool/Wales),
A Old
(Sheffield
/England)
Scorers
Tries: T G R Davies, T J Cobner, A R Irvine, A Neary, P J Squires (2), P Bennett (2)
Conversions: P Bennett (4)
Penalties: P Bennett (1)
Touch Judges: G Bannister, D Jones
Referee: N R Samson.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
rugby union
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
full-back who played international rugby for England
England national rugby union team
The England national rugby union team represents England in rugby union. They compete in the annual Six Nations Championship with France, Ireland, Scotland, Italy, and Wales. They have won this championship on 26 occasions, 12 times winning the Grand Slam, making them the most successful team in...
and club rugby for Moseley
Moseley Rugby Football Club
Moseley Rugby Football Club is an English rugby union club, based at Billesley Common in Birmingham, that competes in the RFU Championship. The club was historically the premier rugby club in Birmingham, reaching the final of the John Player Cup three times in the late 1970s and early 1980s...
. He was a Wolverhampton
Wolverhampton
Wolverhampton is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands, England. For Eurostat purposes Walsall and Wolverhampton is a NUTS 3 region and is one of five boroughs or unitary districts that comprise the "West Midlands" NUTS 2 region...
school teacher by profession.
Rugby career
Doble won only three caps for his country, but he was one of the game's most popular characters and his tragically early death in 1977 at the age of 33 was mourned throughout English rugby. Doble first came to public attention when he scored 581 points for MoseleyMoseley Rugby Football Club
Moseley Rugby Football Club is an English rugby union club, based at Billesley Common in Birmingham, that competes in the RFU Championship. The club was historically the premier rugby club in Birmingham, reaching the final of the John Player Cup three times in the late 1970s and early 1980s...
in the 1971/72 domestic season, an achievement that earned him a call up. His debut was one to remember, an 18-9 victory over South Africa
South Africa national rugby union team
The South African national rugby union team are 2009 British and Irish Lions Series winners. They are currently ranked as the fourth best team in the IRB World Rankings and were named 2008 World Team of the Year at the prestigious Laureus World Sports Awards.Although South Africa was instrumental...
in Johannesburg
Johannesburg
Johannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or Egoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa...
, against a side that were considered to be the unofficial World Champions. England were on the back foot early on when they lost prop Brian 'Stack' Stevens
Brian 'Stack' Stevens
Claude Brian 'Stack' Stevens is a former English rugby union player who played prop for Penzance and Newlyn, Harlequins and represented England 25 times at international level between 1970 to 1975. He also toured with the British and Irish Lions to Australia and New Zealand in 1971.-References:...
to injury and had to contest seven man scrums for twenty minutes. However, the visiting side's makeshift front row did not lose one strike against the head and England gradually took control of the game when Stevens returned. With the forwards keeping the Springboks at bay, Doble scored four penalties and converted Alan Morley's second half try from the touchline to help England to a most unlikely victory. Despite his heroics in South Africa, Sam was destined to play in just two more matches, a 9-0 loss to New Zealand
All Blacks
The New Zealand men's national rugby union team, known as the All Blacks, represent New Zealand in what is regarded as its national sport....
early in 1973 and a 25-9 loss to Wales
Wales national rugby union team
The Wales national rugby union team represent Wales in international rugby union tournaments. They compete annually in the Six Nations Championship with England, France, Ireland, Italy and Scotland. Wales have won the Six Nations and its predecessors 24 times outright, second only to England with...
in the following Five Nations
Six Nations Championship
The Six Nations Championship is an annual international rugby union competition involving six European sides: England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales....
campaign. England were outscored by five tries to nil, but Doble did manage to sign off his international account with two penalties to augment a drop goal by Dick Cowman. Then, just four years later, at around 4.30pm when referees around the country were blowing their whistles, Sam died of a rare form of lymphatic cancer. His life was honoured with a special match between the Rugby Writers International XV and Moseley later in the year, and he is still fondly remembered by all those who knew him. Thirty years on, the victorious England side of Ellis Park '72 met up at Twickenham
Twickenham Stadium
Twickenham Stadium is a stadium located in Twickenham, in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. It is the largest rugby union stadium in the United Kingdom and has recently been enlarged to seat 82,000...
to watch Clive Woodward
Clive Woodward
Sir Clive Ronald Woodward OBE is an English former rugby union player and coach. He was coach of the team from 1997 to 2004, managing them to victory in the 2003 Rugby World Cup. He is currently the British Olympic Association's Director of Elite Performance.-Early life:Woodward was born in Ely...
's England beat South Africa 53-3. Doble was the only player missing from the line-up.
Moseley v International Rugby Writers XV
Sunday 27 November 1977
Moseley 19 points International Rugby Writers XV 43 points
Moseley
15 C A Meanwell;
14 A Thomas,
13 M K Swain,
12 B J Corless,
11 P Beddoes;
10 M J Cooper
Martin Cooper (Rugby Player)
Martin Cooper was an international rugby union player who won 11 caps between 1973 and 1977. His only try was scored against at Lansdowne Road in a record low scoring game, his being the only score in a 4 -0 victory....
,
9 C J Gifford;
1 T F Corless,
2 G N Cox,
3 W H Greaves,
4 R Field,
5 B Ayre,
6 J C White,
8 N C Jeavons
Nick Jeavons
Nicholas Clive Jeavons is a former international rugby union player. In 1983 he toured with the British and Irish Lions on their tour to New Zealand and at the time played club rugby for Moseley. -References:...
,
7 D G Warren
Scorers
Tries: P Beddoes, B J Corless, C A Meanwell
Conversons: M Cooper (2)
Penalties: C A Meanwell
International Rugby Writers XV
15 J P R Williams
J. P. R. Williams
Mr John Peter Rhys Williams, MBE, FRCS , is a British surgeon who was a very successful rugby union player. He was known universally as J.P.R. Williams . He played for Wales between 1969 and 1981...
(Bridgend
Bridgend RFC
Bridgend Ravens are a semi-professional rugby union club based in Bridgend, South Wales. They currently play in the Welsh Premier Division...
/Wales
Wales national rugby union team
The Wales national rugby union team represent Wales in international rugby union tournaments. They compete annually in the Six Nations Championship with England, France, Ireland, Italy and Scotland. Wales have won the Six Nations and its predecessors 24 times outright, second only to England with...
);
14 P J Squires
Peter Squires
Peter John Squires is an English former rugby union player and a first-class cricketer, who played in forty nine first-class matches for Yorkshire County Cricket Club between 1972 and 1976....
(Harrogate
Harrogate
Harrogate is a spa town in North Yorkshire, England. The town is a tourist destination and its visitor attractions include its spa waters, RHS Harlow Carr gardens, and Betty's Tea Rooms. From the town one can explore the nearby Yorkshire Dales national park. Harrogate originated in the 17th...
/England
England national rugby union team
The England national rugby union team represents England in rugby union. They compete in the annual Six Nations Championship with France, Ireland, Scotland, Italy, and Wales. They have won this championship on 26 occasions, 12 times winning the Grand Slam, making them the most successful team in...
),
13 S P Fenwick
Steve Fenwick
Steven Paul Fenwick is a former rugby union and professional rugby league footballer of the 1970s and 80s, who at representative level has played rugby union for Wales, and at club level has played for Bridgend RFC, playing at Centre, i.e...
(Bridgend/Wales),
12 T G R Davies
Gerald Davies
Thomas Gerald Reames Davies CBE is one of the acknowledged greats of Welsh rugby, playing for the side between 1966 and 1978.-Biography:...
(Cardiff
Cardiff RFC
Cardiff Rugby Football Club is a rugby union football club based in Cardiff, the capital city of Wales. The club was founded in 1876 and played their first few matches at Sophia Gardens, but soon relocated to Cardiff Arms Park where they have been based ever since...
/Wales),
11 A R Irvine
Andy Irvine (rugby player)
Andrew Robertson "Andy" Irvine MBE is a former President of the Scottish Rugby Union , and a former Scottish international rugby player. He earned fifty one Scottish caps, and scored over 250 points for .-Background:...
(Heriot's FP/Scotland
Scotland national rugby union team
The Scotland national rugby union team represent Scotland in international rugby union. Rugby union in Scotland is administered by the Scottish Rugby Union. The Scotland rugby union team is currently ranked eighth in the IRB World Rankings as of 19 September 2011...
);
10 P Bennett
Phil Bennett
Phillip Bennett was a Welsh international rugby union fly half from 1969 to 1978. His flair and range of tricks, including his famous sidestep and swerve, meant he was a firm favourite with crowds.-Rugby career:...
(Llanelli
Llanelli RFC
Llanelli Rugby Football Club is a Welsh rugby union club founded in 1875 and its senior team is one of the leading club sides in Wales. The club began the 2008-09 season at their historic home ground of Stradey Park in Llanelli, but moved in November 2008 to the new Parc y Scarlets in adjacent...
/Wales),
9 G O Edwards
Gareth Edwards
Gareth Owen Edwards CBE is a former Welsh rugby union footballer who played scrum-half and has been described by the BBC as "arguably the greatest player ever to don a Welsh jersey"....
(Cardiff/Wales);
1 F E Cotton
Fran Cotton
Francis Edward Cotton is a former English rugby union prop forward who played for England and the British Lions. His clubs included Coventry R.F.C. and Sale. After retiring, he remained in rugby administration and founded a clothing company...
(Sale
Sale Sharks
Sale Sharks are a professional rugby union club who play in England in the Aviva Premiership.The club is an offshoot of Sale FC, which is based at Heywood Road in Sale, Greater Manchester, but Sharks currently play in Stockport at Edgeley Park, ground sharing with Stockport County F.C.Part of the...
/England),
2 P J Wheeler (Leicester
Leicester Tigers
Leicester Tigers is an English rugby union club that plays in the Aviva Premiership.Leicester are the most successful English club since the introduction of league rugby in 1987, a record 9 times English champions - 3 more than either Bath or Wasps, the last of which was in 2010...
/England),
3 G Price
Graham Price
Graham Price MBE is a former Welsh rugby union player who won 41 caps for as a prop forward.- Education :...
(Pontypool
Pontypool RFC
Pontypool Rugby Football Club is a Welsh rugby union team based in the town of Pontypool. Pontypool RFC has a long history within Welsh rugby and is one of the most notable clubs, being present at the formation of the Welsh Rugby Union in 1881, but disbanding before the turn of the 19th century...
/Wales),
4 W B Beaumont
Bill Beaumont
William "Bill" Blackledge Beaumont CBE was captain of the England rugby union team at a time when they struggled to win games. His greatest moment as captain was the unexpected 1980 Grand Slam. He played as a lock...
(Fylde
Fylde Rugby Club
Fylde Rugby Union Club is a rugby union club based in Lytham St Annes, on the Fylde coast in Lancashire, England. Its home venue is the Woodlands Memorial Ground on Blackpool Road in Ansdell...
/England),
5 A J Martin
Allan Martin
Allan Jeffery Martin is a former Aberavon RFC and Welsh international rugby union player. He was noted for his long distance goal-kicking.-Biography:...
(Aberavon
Aberavon RFC
Aberavon RFC is a rugby union club located in the Welsh town of Port Talbot, although the club's name refers to the older settlement of Aberavon which lies on the western side of the town...
/Wales),
6 T J Cobner
Terry Cobner
Terence "Terry" John Cobner is a former Welsh international rugby union player and British Lion. He was born in Blaenavon, Monmouthshire and currently lives in Pontypool.- Welsh international and British Lion :...
(Pontypool/Wales),
8 D L Quinnell
Derek Quinnell
Derek Leslie Quinnell , won 23 rugby union caps for Wales both as a lock-forward and as a number eight.Educated at Coleshill Secondary Modern School, Llanelli, Derek Quinnell first played for Llanelli RFC in 1967 and made his international debut for Wales against France in 1972...
(Llanelli/Wales),
7 A Neary
Tony Neary
Anthony "Tony" Neary is a former England international rugby union player. He represented England at U18's basketball as well as rugby. He attended De La Salle College, Salford and Liverpool University before qualifying as a solicitor....
(Broughton Park/England)
Replacements
Jan Webster (Moseley/England),
A Ripley
Andy Ripley
Andrew George Ripley, OBE was an English rugby union international, who represented England from 1972 to 1976, and the British Lions on their unbeaten 1974 tour of South Africa.-Early life:...
(Rosslyn Park
Rosslyn Park F.C.
Rosslyn Park Football Club is a rugby union team. Founded in 1879, the club became the first club based in England to play rugby internationally when it faced Stade Francais in Paris on 18 April 1892. In 1912, the club played in Prague, Budapest and Vienna in the first rugby matches ever played in...
/England),
A G Faulkner
Charlie Faulkner
Anthony George "Charlie" Faulkner was a rugby union player of the 1970s and later a rugby coach.He was born Anthony George Faulkner in Newport, Monmouthshire in February 1941.- Wales caps :...
(Pontypool/Wales),
R W Windsor
Bobby Windsor
Robert William Windsor , known as Bobby and nicknamed "The Duke", is a former rugby union player who gained 28 rugby union caps for Wales as a hooker between 1973 and 1979...
(Pontypool/Wales),
A Old
Alan Old
Alan Gerald Bernard Old is an English Rugby Union player who had 16 caps for England.Old made his debut for England against Wales in 1972 and made a further 15 appearances with his final one being against France in 1978. His 16 caps included only 4 wins, but these were against New Zealand, South...
(Sheffield
Sheffield RUFC
Sheffield Rugby Union Football Club is a rugby union club based at Abbeydale Sports Club in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England. Their main local rivals are Sheffield Tigers RUFC. Following promotion in the 2010/11 season Sheffield will be playing in North East One next season....
/England)
Scorers
Tries: T G R Davies, T J Cobner, A R Irvine, A Neary, P J Squires (2), P Bennett (2)
Conversions: P Bennett (4)
Penalties: P Bennett (1)
Touch Judges: G Bannister, D Jones
Referee: N R Samson.