France break their Welsh duck
Bleddyn Williams was on top form for the Barbarians on this day in 1947
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1928
France beat Wales for the first time (and at the 16th attempt). Two tries from wing Robert Houdet underpinned an 8-3 win that was achieved with 14 men, Andre Camel leaving the field injured early on.
1921
France recorded their first back-to-back wins against a Home Union with a 20-10 victory in Paris against Ireland. Ireland scored two tries through flanker Patrick Stokes but France were comfortable winners thanks to scores from Jean Boubee, Aime Cassayet-Armagnac, and a brace from scrum-half Roger Piteu.
2002
Scotland centre John Leslie retired from international rugby. The New Zealand-born star, eligible to play for Scotland through his grandparents, made his debut for them in 1998 against South Africa after arriving in the UK to play for Glasgow Caledonians. Leslie won 23 caps for Scotland and was Man of the Tournament at the 1999 Five Nations tournament. He also skippered the Scots three times in 2000.
1947
The Barbarians played their fifth match in six days, travelling to Northampton to meet the East Midlands the day after completing their Easter visit to Wales. The tourists were undaunted by the travelling and won 20-8 with Bleddyn Williams starring out of position as a fly-half.
1915
Welsh winger Bill Clement was born. Clement played his club rugby for Llanelli and was capped six times for Wales in 1937 and 1938. A strong tackler and committed attacker, Clement served as the secretary for the Welsh Rugby Union following his retirement from playing. He died in Llanelli in 2007.
1960
Pierre Albaladejo created a Five Nations record dropping three goals in France's 23-6 victory over Ireland in Paris. Legendary prop Amedee Domenech was also on the
scoresheet with a try.
1951
Cyril Rutherford, the Scot who for many years was the secretary of the French Rugby Union (FFR), died aged 77 at his Paris home. He was instrumental in bringing about France's entry to Test rugby in the years before the Great War.
1953
Queen's University, Belfast opened the USA leg of their North American tour with a 14-9 win in the first of a three-match series against the University of California. Dion Glass scored a try and kicked a penalty for the visitors.
2005
The Bulls continued the revival of South Africa's sides in the Super 12 with a crushing 35-20 triumph over The Crusaders. The result mattered little in the grand scheme however, Robbie Deans' men seeing out the tournament as winners for the fifth time.
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