Another wonderful newspaper print from Dedet's team, touring in Great Britain in February 1899.
The caption only refers to "The French Rugby Football team now in England" but I am sure that you all have recognized my favourite team... (actually, I am sure that the seller of the print didn't, otherwise he would have asked for more money...)
My regular readers will recognize Louis Dedet, sitting in the middle as the Captain, or Henri Amand standing with the white scarf (he was the singer of the gang, so protecting his throat during winter... he once explained it was also the reason for him to wear a beard...). I am investigating to identify the others (any help will be welcome...)
The credits below the caption indicate that this picture was shot in Dublin, where Stade Francais played against University of Dublin on February 2nd 1899 (and lost 0 - 9), but the picture was published later in an English newspaper a couple of days before playing against the famous Barbarians on February 15 (and an other defeat for the Froggies... 0 - 33)
As you can see, Dedet, Amand and three other gentlemen are wearing caps... According to internal rules edicted by the Stade Francais at the time, only players who had won at least two "Championnat de France" titles AND who had participated to an international victory were entitled to wear the cap... tough ! The rules were later softened (in 1906) so that a player could deserve the cap "just" by winning one "Championnat de France" OR two "Championnat de Paris"... no pain, no gain...
Well, if you have such a cap to sell... please drop me a mail... I need to replace this one...
