Vale David 'Dai' Duckham: England's swashbuckling winger

The evocative name of David Duckham brings back memories of a swashbuckling winger, making sublime runs that left would be tacklers groping at thin air.

It may take a certain type of supporter to be a fan of Duckham, a romantic perhaps? Someone who enjoys watching a player capable of divine rugby moves.

In full flow he was a magnificent sight, blonde hair flying, ball securely under one arm and a decision to be made as to whether to sidestep or dummy the opposition, or maybe even both! If you want to see the greatest dummy, sidestep combination ever in rugby history, watch his performance for the Barbarians versus the All Blacks in 1973.

It was so good it fooled the cameraman who had no idea where he had gone. Although in his first break I wonder what may have happened if he had gone for the try rather than pass the ball inside!

Unfortunately there are not enough videos online to capture his magic, but his graceful, swerving runs will always be remembered.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMd7PQavavw

David Duckham is the second in a series of overseas players who impressed me when playing and remain in my memory for their stylish play, JPR Williams being the first. Duckham played rugby as it is meant to be played, difficult to describe but basically, running with the ball and scoring in rugby is the ultimate sight in all sport in my opinion. Duckham did that so well.

David John Duckham was born 1946 in Coventry, Warwickshire and was educated at King Henry VIII Grammar School. Duckham passed away in January 2023 from a heart condition at the age of 76 years. He is survived by his wife Jean and three daughters.

After starring for the Coventry club, whom he played for his entire career, Duckham made his debut for England versus Ireland in 1969. Apparently the 22-year old scored a 60 yard try, which I cannot find any footage of. He was selected as a centre, but his 36 games for England were not a joyous time as the culture deteriorated from an enjoyable beginning.

“There was a totally different attitude,” John Spencer, former RFU manager said. “We took far more risks. It was fun. We were allowed scope to dare and enjoy ourselves, try things. Then attitudes changed. International rugby became too intense. You had to win. Everything was stamped with a no-risk policy.”

Duckham brought his flair to a conservative England team and was admired by Lions coach Carwyn James, who selected him for the 1971 Lions tour of New Zealand as a winger. The master coach instilled in Duckham a sense of freedom to dare to attack and score tries.

Six of these were scored playing West Coast-Buller, which was a record for a touring player in a single match in New Zealand. He became an unsung hero of the tour through his attacking and defensive feats, also combining well with full-back JPR Williams.

David Duckham rejoined his Lions teammates for the 1973 Barbarians match at Cardiff Arms Park, appearing as the only Englishman amongst the Welsh in the backline.

Words cannot do justice to his performance that day. “Frank Keating, journalist, loved him: “What swiftness of foot and thought, what panache, sheer enchantment.” All the romantics did,” wrote Andy Bull, The Guardian.

The photo below captures everything about Duckham, the ball is almost gone from his hands for the dummy, the focus and footwork creating opportunities.

Duckham, centre, dummies Ian Hurst, left, during the classic 1973 Barbarians match against New Zealand in Cardiff, which the Barbarians won 23-11. Photograph: Colorsport/Shutterstock

Duckham was so admired by the Welsh he was bestowed with the nickname “Dai” (a diminutive form of David) and it formed the name of his autobiography, “Dai for England.”

He continued to accumulate tries for Coventry and England and in 1973 made an unforgettable run versus Scotland, which has been titled, “the greatest try never scored.” The biggest regret in his career was missing the Lions tour of South Africa in 1974 through injury.

He could have been quite devastating. Dai made his final appearance versus Scotland in 1976.

Duckham was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 1977, for services to rugby football. He appears to have been a very decent person with a good sense of humour, using those attributes for charity and speaking work post rugby.

He was named in the 2004 BBC Six Nations Dream XV, a totally justified selection. I had the pleasure of seeing him play for the Lions versus North Auckland in 1971 when he scored a try at Okara Park.

David Duckham, prince of wingers, swashbuckler, object of romantics…whatever you want to call him, to put it simply an unforgettable rugby player.

Dai, one of my favourite overseas players.