Phil de Glanville: Firsts and Lasts
In the latest in our series speaking to former England captains, Phil de Glanville recalls his first & last Test as skipper.
Phil de Glanville played for Durham University while studying Economics and Politics, gained an Oxford University Blue and represented England Students and U21s.
In his 12 years with Bath he played 202 games, amassed 250 points, and captained them to a league and cup double in 1996 in a centre partnership with Jeremy Guscott
His England debut came in the 33-16 defeat of the Springboks at Twickenham in 1992 and in the autumn of 1996, after Will Carling stepped down, Jack Rowell appointed him England captain.
His nickname Hollywood came from a Bath team mate declaring of Phil’s nose being broken for the third time that his Hollywood good looks were all messed up now.
“It stuck despite about nine breaks to the nose and a few stitches across the face," said de Glanville.
The alias was distinctly at odds with his uncompromising style of play. Possessing all the attributes of an international centre, strength, power and the preparedness to put his body on the line in a tackle, he earned a total of 38 England caps and led his country ten times and in eight Tests.
He is now an RFU Board member and their Senior Representative on the Professional Game Board, made up of the RFU, Premiership Rugby, the Championship and the Rugby Players Association, who work together towards the best, long-term interests of the game in England. He is an RFU Council member, representing students.
First - 23 November 1996 at Twickenham (England 54 – 21 Italy)
“Jack (Rowell) rang and asked me to make sure I had my phone on me ready to take a call. I was booked to play a round of golf with Jon Callard and Henry Paul and we were on the third tee at Orchardleigh golf course, eight miles outside Bath, when he rang.
“Four or five people were being talked about as possible captain in the press. I thought Jack was going to say ‘Not this time, Phil.’ But he said he’d be delighted if I’d take on the captaincy, which was amazing. Then I had to compose myself and take my tee shot. I still managed to hit the green. Jon and Henry were full of congratulations and then I told my wife, Yolanda, and my parents but that was it.
I had to go into Twickenham lying down in the back of a cab.
Phil de Glanville
“The weird thing was that the captaincy announcement came in the midst of all the furore around Will (Carling). I had to go into Twickenham lying down in the back of a cab. They didn’t want anyone to see me and I said ‘What?’ it was so bizarre. They literally hadn’t told anyone and I walked into the Spirit of Rugby at the stadium with all the cameras flashing. I thought ‘Why are we doing this?’ Then I was shaking Jack’s hand and had to sit down and do the press conference.
“The whole scenario where Will had become a mega celebrity really made me feel sorry for him. I wanted to downplay the role, get back to something more normal, just go out to play rugby. Will was still in the team and playing well. It had the potential to be difficult with the former captain in the team but he was great to have there as a senior player and it went really well.
“The whole situation was rather surreal. When you play for England, or any squad, there are always people for you and those against you. It ebbs and flows. In ’95 it was ‘Why isn’t de Glanville playing?’ and I’d kind of got used to it. Rugby writers were pretty good in their knowledge of the game and if your form wasn’t up to it you were always going to come under pressure but you have to develop a bit of a thick skin."
Seven new caps
“In an ideal world there would be a steady drip, drip of renewal but this wasn’t an ideal world. As a new captain it was essential for me to spend time with the new caps. We had seven, among them Tim Stimpson at full back and Simon Shaw in the second row. Adedayo Adebayo started on the wing, with Chris Sheasby at No 8, both had been part of England’s ‘93 Rugby World Cup Sevens victory.
“Having so many new caps was a big feature of the game as it can change the whole dynamic. They were likely to be nervous, as anyone is for their first game. You want to get a pretty good start. I remembered that feeling and I’d been with the squad for four years before stepping up to captain.
“I would have been more nervous leading the team out so it was probably helpful knowing I had to make sure our new players were OK. Jason Leonard was winning his 50th Cap as well so he ran out first which also helped. I knew roughly where my family would be in the stadium but even though you always look you can’t see them. Then you are introducing dignitaries, standing on the end of the squad singing the anthem.
“We were expected to win against Italy, they weren’t yet in the Six Nations but were knocking on the door. If as players you go into a game with the mindset that it’s going to be easy that’s very dangerous. We started with real intent and purpose and the new caps settled quickly, Andy Gomarsall scored two tries on his debut.
“I remember being really pleased with our performance and as our first game we were all pretty happy. Coming back into the changing room with a good win there’s always huge relief. That’s true of any game but particularly true of an international where everything is intensified and pressures have built up around it. A winning changing room is a great place to be but we had the challenge of the New Zealand Baa-Baas the next week, which was in effect an All Blacks team. That was our focus.”
Last - 12 July 1997 in Sydney (England 6 – 25 Australia)
“The scheduling was disastrous. It was the week after the Lions final Test and we had been on tour to Argentina a month before. The England players were in pre-season mode and the English Lions players had had an absolute battering getting the Test series win in South Africa.
“Trying to get any meaningful training was difficult when they were finished, winning that series had such an effect on bodies and minds. Training, strength and conditioning, was different. We were all over the place and Jack was under pressure, getting messages from the RFU that he was going to be sacked, which he was sharing with me. It was tough all round.
“The result wasn’t surprising. We were holding our own at half time when the score was 8-6 but in the second half we just ran out of steam emotionally and physically. Everyone was shot, it was really bad scheduling.
“I’d spent a year in Australia between school and university, played for Western Districts of Brisbane and then got picked for Brisbane Colts (under 19s) which was brilliant and a really good year. I had a great bunch of friends from the rugby club and some came to the match.
The end of an era
“I remember after the Test feeling desperately low. We hadn’t played well, Jack was being replaced, it was the end of an era. Everyone flew home and I had stayed on waiting for my wife to come out for a holiday. It was a tough time, having lost, having personally not played well. That’s the highs and lows of sport. When my wife arrived I needed her telling me don’t worry, it will be OK.
“I carried on playing in the England team after Clive (Woodward) came in and was in the squad from 1992 to 99. I think I only missed selection for one squad and ended up being involved in about 60 matches, before substitutes were allowed. Would I have liked to captain longer? Yes, possibly but there would also have been a bit of relief. I remember us all being at Bisham Abbey when Lawrence (Dallaglio) took over. It’s hard pressure being captain, when you’re skipper you are thinking about the whole game, not just your own. Not being in charge allows you to be more selfish, to focus on your own game, although as senior players you do contribute more."
“There are certain games I still remember and that feeling standing in the tunnel waiting to go out, it’s just magic.
Phil de Glanville
“I had 10 matches captaining my country and it was very special for me. As a boy when people start to suggest you might play for England it’s in the back of your mind but you never really think it will happen. To not only play for but to captain my country was one of the best things in my life. Of course, it doesn’t compare to the birth of three sons or 25 years of marriage, but in a sporting contest it doesn’t get any better.
“There are certain games I still remember and that feeling standing in the tunnel waiting to go out, it’s just magic. Everything you do in rugby is as part of a team and those team values run through everything, that and the lifetime friendships. Those are the friendships where it doesn’t matter how long you haven’t seen each other, you know they are still there if you need them.”
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