RFU tribute to former England wing John Young
The RFU has paid tribute to former England wing, John Young, whose last of nine England caps came against France in 1961.
An accomplished athlete and rugby player, he died on March 19, aged 82.
John Robert Young was born in Chester, later moving to Sutton Coldfield. Aged 18, while still a pupil at Bishop Vesey Grammar School, Birmingham, he won the AAA 100 yard dash, with 9.9 seconds, later equalling the 9.8 record.
While at St Edmund Hall, Oxford, he achieved a Blue in both athletics and rugby. His first England cap came in a Championship winning 1958, when England beat Ireland 2-0. His last was against France in the 5-5 draw of 1961, when a try earned 3 points.
A pacey, evasive No 14, he went on the British & Irish Lions 1959 tour to New Zealand and Australia, scoring the Lions’ only try in the Wellington Test.
Having joined Harlequins in the 1958/59 season, he made 102 appearances for the club, also playing for Moseley, Warwickshire, London Counties, Surrey and the Barbarians.
After retiring from playing, he became an England selector, and then joined his local Dorking club, where two grandsons play. His wife, Pauline and two sons died before him.
A popular and erudite man of rugby, John was first a barrister and then a stock broker. Well respected in business, he was senior partner at Simon & Coates stockbrokers, Director of Policy & Planning at the London Stock Exchange, Chief Executive of Securities & Investments Board and Chairman of Lloyd’s Regulatory Board.
Said RFU President, Peter Wheeler: “John Young was a tremendous rugby player in the amateur era, his speed and side-step admired by all. He was an excellent raconteur and will be much missed by the game. Our thoughts are with his daughter Harriet and her family.”
