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20 unusual facts about Twickenham Stadium


2001 Bradford Bulls season

The Bulls were not able to defend their Challenge Cup title as they fell 13-6 to St Helens RLFC in a match which was played under terrible weather as rain swept Twickenham Stadium.

Acrylicize

acrylicize completed interior work for several of the UK's stadiums including Wembley Stadium, the Emirates Stadium, Twickenham and the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.

Alexandre Tichonov

He had the distinction of being asked to play for the Barbarians on their Easter 1990 tour of Wales and was one of two Soviet players, along with Igor Mironov to play in the Rest of Europe XV in 1990 against the Four Home Unions XV at Twickenham Stadium.

Des Fitzgerald

He played for the Ireland team from 1984 to 1992, winning 34 caps, after making his debut in February 1984 against England in a 12-9 defeat at Twickenham.

Duke of Northumberland's River

The eastern section diverts water from the River Crane, London in Kneller Gardens Whitton, north-eastwards past The Stoop and Twickenham Stadium, through Isleworth, originally to the Mill then onwards to supply the ornamental ponds in the Duke of Northumberland's estate at Syon Park.

England national rugby league team

Compared to 1995, England had little success, losing their opening game at Twickenham 22–2 against Australia.

Eric Tindill

He was selected for that tour, and played in New Zealand's first loss to a club side against Swansea, 3–11, but scored two drop goals against London Counties on 26 December 1935, and was selected to play one Test against England at Twickenham on on 4 January 1936.

Frank Whitcombe Jr

In the same year he was named as a reserve for the England final trial at Twickenham.

Halifax RUFC

In addition to winning North 1, and to crown a successful season, Halifax won through to the Final of the Powergen Intermediate Cup at Twickenham where they triumphed over Gosport and Fareham (43-19).

Harlow rugby club

Harlow have never won the Essex Cup, however, Harlow has won the Eastern Counties Cup twice; firstly in 1995 and secondly in 1997, and in 1999 a Harlow Sevens squad reached the Middlesex 7s finals and played on the hallowed turf at Twickenham Stadium beating Richmond in their last tournament as a professional club.

Investec

Investec previously sponsored the Investec Internationals Series (formerly the Investec Challenge) played at Twickenham Stadium, England.

Jim Hetherington

Hetherington, a talented fullback made his international debut on 1 February 1958, against Australia at Twickenham.

Loughborough Students RUFC

In 1970 Greenwood coached the Colleges to victory in the Middlesex Sevens, and in the first Twickenham UAU final, the Colleges beat Nottingham University 22 - 3.

Medicals RFC

Medicals RFC are most famous for the 1995-6 side that reached the final of the RFU Pilkington Shield at Twickenham and won the trophy – beating Helston RFC, Cornwall 16 v 6.

The finest hour of the clubs achievement was on 4 May 1996 Twickenham, winners of the National Junior Club Knock-out Competition, The Pilkington Shield.

Ossie Newton-Thompson

He was first capped in England's win over Scotland at Twickenham and made his other appearance in their defeat of France at the same venue.

Sheffield Tigers RUFC

The arrival of former England and Halifax RLFC scrum half David Holmes spearheaded a new era and the club reached the final of the Tetley Bitter Vase at Twickenham in 2000, securing a 20-11 win over favourites Bank of England RUFC in the Final and despite finishing second in the League, a restructure meant that they remained in Yorkshire 2 as all 10 clubs below them were relegated!

Silhillians Rugby Union Football Club

They lost to Billericay Rugby Football Club 19-3 but Silhillians look back fondly on that season and the experience of playing at 'Rugby HQ'.

Undoubtedly the club's greatest achievement to date was their appearance in the 1999 Tetley's Bitter Vase Final at Twickenham.

Testimonial match

Another high-profile charitable testimonial was that of England rugby player Martin Johnson, held at Twickenham on 4 June 2005.


Bob Rowell

He was capped twice by England; both times against Wales, the first on 18 January 1964 in the 1964 Five Nations Championship (a 6-6 draw at Twickenham Stadium), and again a year later on 16 January 1965 (a 14-3 loss at the National Stadium, Cardiff Arms Park).

Colin Smart

In 1979, Smart was called up to the full England team, making his debut at Twickenham Stadium against France.

John Eric Greenwood

He played his final match for England on 20 March 1920 at Twickenham in the England vs Scotland match.

Kendrick Stark

He played his final match for England on 17 March 1928 at Twickenham in the England vs Scotland match.

Middlesex Rugby Football Union

Middlesex were the English county champions for the sixth time in 1968, having defeated Warwickshire in the final (tries by Brian Stoneman and Sandy Hinshelwood helped them to their 9-6 win at Twickenham).

Mircea Paraschiv

He is currently the single Romanian player inducted to the World Rugby Museum Wall of Fame, inaugurated in 2005 in Twickenham.

Peter Preece

He played his final match for England on 17 January 1976 at Twickenham in the England vs Wales match.

Robin Butler, Baron Butler of Brockwell

It is said that one day the young Butler, who was still playing first class rugby, received a letter that read: "You have been selected for the Harlequins 1st XV on Saturday. Please be at Twickenham by 2 p.m.".