Where it started: George Furbank
As George Furbank ran out at Stade de France for his England debut against France on Sunday, his first coach was in the stands looking on, cheering for the lad from Huntingdon & District RFC.
“I actually bought tickets for the game last September,” said Mike Francis ahead of Le Crunch. “At that time George was being monitored by Saints for an injury, so the prospect of watching him in the Six Nations wasn’t even on the radar. Just pure fortune.”
Mike was there to introduce Furbank to rugby at Huntingdon Under 7s, seeing him through to Under 16s, and remembers him as a shy boy with a quiet determination.
“At a very young age he was a natural ball player, and as he got older we didn’t really have to do too much with him, because he had a good understanding of the game,” added Mike.
“He played fly half for me and our team mantra was for our forwards to just win the ball. The reason for that was because once our backs had the ball we usually scored, and a lot of that was down to George; he had the eye to assess what was on and make the most of it.”
Furbank’s introduction to Test rugby was tough, as England lost out to a spirited Les Bleus side in Paris, but the Northampton Saint played all 80 minutes.
Also in the Stade de France crowd on Sunday were Tim and Becky Furbank, George’s parents, who were invited to attend their son’s Test cap presentation in the changing rooms.
“It was an unbelievable day,” explained Tim. “Eddie and all the team were so welcoming to Becky and I despite obviously feeling gutted after the game. It is no exaggeration to say it was the proudest day of our lives.”
Tim describes his son as determined, focused and hard-working – characteristics former coach Mike can vouch for from his time at Huntingdon.
“I’m hugely delighted for George but it is his own work, perseverance and dedication that has got him to where he is.”
Huntingdon & District RFC is historically a farming club according to Mike, who highlights enjoyment as the one thing he tried to instil in Furbank’s team throughout their age grade rugby, and the club came together on Sunday to watch their former player make his international debut.
George’s grandfather played for the Cambridgeshire club - as did father Tim - who was first XV captain before going on to be the club’s Chairman and President.
An England player and Northampton Saint, but first and foremost George Furbank is a Huntingdon lad. As Tim boasts, “Huntingdon is in his blood.”
