Fred Scrine
Birth nameFrederick George Scrine
Birth date25 March 1877
Birth placeSwansea, Wales
Death date8 June 1962 (aged 85)
Death placeParkmill, Wales
PositionFlanker
Amatteam 1Swansea RFC
Amatteam 2Coventry R.F.C.
Amatteam 3Cumberland
Amatteam 4Gloucestershire
Repteam 1Wales[1]
Repyears 11899–1901
Repcaps 13
Reppoints 10

Frederick George Scrine (25 March 1877 – 8 August 1962) was a Welsh international rugby union flanker who played club rugby for Swansea. Scrine's style of play was as a fast spoiling player[2] and was first capped for Wales in 1899 against England.

Rugby career

Born in Swansea, Scrine played most of his rugby for first class team Swansea Rugby Football Club. He was selected to play for Wales in the 1899 Home Nations Championship, and was selected alongside fellow Swansea players Billy Bancroft, Tom Parker and the 'Curly haired marmosets', David and Evan James. In the first international at Swansea's ground, St Helen's, for four years Wales beat England with some ease. Scrine had a solid game and set up[3] Willie Llewellyn for his third try during the game. Scrine was back two months later in the same tournament, but this time against Scotland. The Scottish won 21–10, and Scrine was not recalled for the final match against Ireland. He would get his day against the Irish two years later when selected again for a game at St Helens. Wales won the game, but Scrine was not selected again, as a new wave of exciting players jostled for selection.

In 1905 Scrine was part of the Swansea team to face the Original All Blacks, and scored a try against the tourist, though the All Blacks won through 4–3.[4]

In 1906, Scrine was part of a players' revolt at his club side Swansea, over the nature of professionalism, and managed to change the club rules.[5] Scrine would later clash with the WRU in 1907, when as part of an investigation into professionalism at Aberdare and Treorchy, Scrine was temporarily suspended for breaking union payment laws.[6]

International matches played

Wales[7]

Bibliography

  • Smith, David & Williams, Gareth (1980). Fields of Praise: The Official History of The Welsh Rugby Union. Cardiff: University of Wales Press. ISBN 0-7083-0766-3.

References

  1. ^ WRU player profile
  2. ^ Smith (1980), pg 115.
  3. ^ Smith (1980), pg 118.
  4. ^ Smith (1980), pg 169.
  5. ^ Smith (1980), pg 125.
  6. ^ Smith (1980), pg 180.
  7. ^ Smith (1980), pg 471.