Jean-Pierre Rives: a blood-stained jersey tells the story of French rugby's Renaissance man

To live through the 70s and 80s and experience French rugby was to experience how rugby should be played.

No one epitomised this more than the indestructible French flanker, Jean-Pierre Rives. I hope to capture the distant memories of the man and why he became a cult figure in France and around the world, known for his courage and spirit.

Of all the players I have written about, Rives was one I most looked forward to researching and finding out more about and what I uncovered did not disappoint.

People talk about dinner parties and who they would invite to sit around the table and, forgiving my lack of French, Rives would be at that table.

A Renaissance man who became a painter, sculptor and classical pianist, a man who inspired his fellow Frenchmen to play with such commitment, flair and vigour.

The recalling of his name brought up memories of a guts-and-glory player, one who cannot be replicated by any of today’s players. If I’m not painting a picture of him then maybe ESPN can help: “he was a bloodstained hero who remains an iconic presence to fans the world over.”

Rives played with a fearlessness that showed no regard for his overall health. He once stated, “when you are young, you’re indestructible, you just use your body as a weapon.”

If you imagine the cartoon character Asterix as a rugby player, then those not overly familiar with Rives will get a better idea. Diminutive and fearless were characteristics of both, with Rives standing 178cm and 85kg, not large for a flanker, so courage was required. Asterix was one nickname for Rives, another was Casque d’Or, French for “golden helmet” depicting his long blond locks.

Jean-Pierre Rives was born in 1952 in Toulouse France and played for the Stade Toulousain club from 1974 before changing to the Racing Club de France in 1981.

He made his Test debut versus England in 1975 aged 22 and accumulated 59 caps for France. His career includes two Grand Slams in 1977 and 1981, and if they had not come up against an exceptional Welsh side it would have been another in 1978. Captaincy came to Rives 34 times, which was a world record at the time.

The pinnacle of his career was beating the All Blacks for the first time on their home soil at Eden Park, a match I was fortunate to attend.

The French were so exhilarating and brilliant that it did not feel like a home defeat, it was just a pleasure to be there to witness their Gallic flair.

Jean-Pierre Rives, nicknamed “Casque d’Or” (French for Golden helmet) from France, with a bloody face, during a Five Nations Championship match against Wales.  (Photo by Jean-Yves Ruszniewski/TempSport/Corbis/VCG via Getty Images)

The match was on Bastille Day, July 14th 1979, with the French storming Eden Park after losing the first Test 23-9 at Lancaster Park. They played with such freedom, discipline, and as the French say, élan.

Rives has said he couldn’t help but admire rugby’s most gifted attackers, “I love players who can invent something, create something extraordinary and are unpredictable.”

Life is too short to play boring rugby. Damian McKenzie, David Campese, Christian Cullen, Carlos Spencer and Corey Toole are five who may qualify under Rives’ criteria.

Jean-Pierre Rives retired in 1984 due to shoulder injuries and he then reinvigorated his interest in art, which had been a vocation since primary school.

He has held sculpture exhibitions around the globe and is now more well-known for his steel sculptures amongst the art community than as the dynamic flanker he once was.

Rives said, “It’s the same in lots of ways, rugby and sculpture – you express yourself through something. When you play rugby, you try to express yourself with your body, with your soul. In art, it’s something else – colour or form.”

He was part of one of the greatest back row combinations with Jean-Claude Skrela and Jean-Pierre Baptiste in the 70s and was more of an inspiring leader than a shouty one.

In an interview for David Beresford’s Brothers in Arms, Rives summed up his leadership style. “What is rugby? You need love in your heart and a kick in the head,” he said. “There are a few different ways to lead men: you can be alongside them and love them and they will follow, or you can be authoritarian. We, the French need love.”

Rives was inducted into the International Rugby Hall of Fame in 1997 and has appeared in film and television, but his art has become a full-time interest. He is twice married and has two sons, splitting his time between Ibiza and St-Tropez.

In my mind’s eye, I see Jean-Pierre Rives’ blood-soaked face and jersey typifying the absolute commitment he gave to team and country, in an amateur era.

It is hard to fathom why he gave so much of himself. Was it camaraderie and not letting down his teammates or just the way he was created, to give his all? Whatever the answer, today’s players could well view replays of Rives to see what duty they have towards teammates and themselves.

Jean-Pierre Rives, one of my most admired players who joins our Favourites team.