Tribute to Bev Risman
The RFU has paid tribute to dual-code international Bev Risman OBE who has died at the age of 85.
Born in Salford, Bev grew up in Cumbria, representing England in rugby union while still a student at Loughborough Colleges. He was awarded eight England caps, playing both at fly half and centre and toured with the British & Irish Lions in 1959.
He toured Australia and New Zealand with the Lions in the same year that he broke into the England side. His England debut was against Wales in Cardiff and he played throughout a Five Nations series that saw England beat Ireland in Dublin before drawing both fixtures against France and Scotland.
He was 21 when selected for the British & Irish Lions and played in two Tests in Australia and two in New Zealand. He scored 59 points in 13 matches on tour, including a match winning try in the fourth Test victory over New Zealand.
After making his mark in rugby union, Bev followed his Welsh father Gus into rugby league, playing for Leigh and Leeds and captaining Great Britain in the 1968 League World Cup. After retiring through injury, he took up coaching and was awarded an OBE in the 2012 New Year’s Honours.
Said Budge Rogers, who played flanker in the same England team as Bev: “I played my England trial against him when he’d played for the Lions, and he completely outplayed me. I went back to my parents’ car, threw my bag down and said that was my first and last trial!
“Bev was a wonderful player and a great bloke. No flanker could get the better of him, he had a great side-step and tremendous talent. I am so sad to hear that he has died. He will be very much missed by all who knew him, especially his friends and family who are in my thoughts.”
