England Rugby and World War I: Watch The Rose and The Poppy
England World Cup winner's documentary tells the story of thousands of players who left rugby pitches for the battlefields, many never to return.
Friday 10 November 2017 22:43, UK
As part of the RFU's World War I Commemorations in 2016, the RFU commissioned a series of three films telling of thousands of players who laid down their lives, rugby heroes, and the bonds between rugby, its values and the military.
World Cup winner Lewis Moody produced and presents the film, on a subject he describes as a passion of his, and whose grandfather was one of the fortunate ones to return from war.
The film takes us to cemeteries of northern Europe and tells the stories of ordinary rugby men from up and down England who signed up to serve in the Great War.
Moody interviews his former team-mates Martin Johnson and Neil Back as well former England international Rory Underwood who served with the RAF while flying down the Twickenham wing as an amateur.
But perhaps the best interview of all is when Moody meets Harry Walker, not long after his 100th birthday, the oldest surviving England international.
Part one
RFU patron Prince Harry introduces the film as Lewis visits the battlefields of 1914 to 1918 and the mass graveyards that stand there today.
Part Two
Lewis tells the story of the 27 England international rugby players who lost their lives in the war. Jack Nowell, a 2016 Grand Slam winner, reflects on the sacrifice of the 1914 Grand Slam winners, all of whom signed up to fight.
Part Three
Twickenham unveils the Rose and Poppy "Lest We Forget" Gates to celebrate the England players who made the ultimate sacrifice between 1914 and 1918. Lewis interviews Harry Walker, 100 at the time, and the oldest surviving England rugby player, whose father served and died in the first World War.
Harry went on to fight in the second World War before winning the first of nine England caps.
