Inspirational Pioneers Jimmy & Jason
Jimmy Peters made England rugby union history in 1906 when he ran out at Twickenham as his nation’s first ever black player.
Those were very different times, and Jimmy’s journey to elite rugby was a very different one from the experiences of his teammates.
It was 1988 – over 80 years later – before another black men’s player, Chris Oti made his England debut.
And it was almost a hundred years from Jimmy's achievement, in 2005, that Jason Robinson became the first black men’s captain of England, scoring a hat-trick against Canada at Twickenham.
On Saturday, Jimmy’s great-great grandson Liam Henderson, who plays in his forbear’s home city for Plymouth Arguam, will be an England mascot and with him will be Jason’s six-year-old son Noah, who has played for Old Brodleians and Keighley clubs.
Liam’s 91-year-old great-grandmother, Jimmy’s grand daughter Barbara Dunbar, can’t attend the match on Saturday, but is: “very proud to have Liam run out as a mascot for England in memory of my Gramps Jimmy. I have got lovely memories of my grandfather and, as a family, we are all very proud of him. I would show his caps to my school pals and later took them to work, my two daughters used to take them to school to show everyone. He was my pride and joy.”.
Rugby World Cup winner Jason Robinson, who scored England's only try to help secure the 2003 Rugby World Cup victory, said: “Getting into the England team is, as we all know, very, very difficult. But in those days, for Jimmy, it was almost impossible.
“I faced a lot of challenges but nothing like those Jimmy had to overcome. His story is one everyone should know. Starting life in the circus, the horrific death of his father in a lions’ cage, then not being able to be the bareback rider he was trained for because of an accident, what a tough time he had as a child. It’s hard to imagine what he must have gone through.
“In many ways that accident and moving out of the circus environment to a boys’ home gave him the opportunity to prove himself as an athlete and play for England. It was more than 80 years until another black man represented our country, so the word pioneer is the one to use. I am incredibly inspired by Jimmy and his story.
“That connection between us is very special and it will be a very proud moment when my son Noah and Jimmy’s great-great grandson Liam run out together as mascots for England.”
On the pitch, Liam will wear a medal presented to Jimmy, before Barbara gives it to the World Rugby Museum. Noah will wear Jason’s 2003 Rugby World Cup medal.
