Sporting Bygones: How 1980 victory over Wales gave English rugby renewed belief

More than a few would point to the match against Wales at Twickenham on February 16, 1980, as the turning point for English rugby. A new coach, Mike Davis, had succeeded Peter Colston the previous November when, on a dark day at Otley, the North had surprised the All Blacks. England could not follow their example the following week, losing 10-9 to the All Blacks, but it was clear that with a core of Lancastrians, the national side had the beginnings of a team to be regarded as potential champions.

Bill Beaumont was the captain, his chief lieutenants were Fran Cotton and Tony Neary and they had fellow-Red Rose men in John Carleton, Mike Slemen, John Horton, Maurice Colclough and Roger Uttley providing the speed, guile and steel in equal measure.

Another key man was scrum-half Steve Smith, a Cheshire player originally but one who would soon – and wisely – change his allegiance to Lancashire.

Davis had enjoyed success with England's 18-Group Schools and his willingness to listen to his senior players enabled him to strike a rapport with Beaumont and his mates. The result was England's first grand slam since 1957 when the captain had, by coincidence, also been a Lancastrian, Eric Evans.

England's 1980 Five Nations' season had started well with a pack-inspired 24-9 demolition of Ireland at Twickenham followed by another impressive forward display in a 17-13 victory over France at Parc des Princes, England's first win in the French capital since 1964.

The crunch – literally – came against Wales on a day when one man's name went into the annals.

He was Paul Ringer, the Llanelli flanker and one of several in the Welsh pack determined not to take a backwards step against England's juggernaut forwards.

Clive Williams, Graham Price, Geoff Wheel, Alan Martin, Jeff Squire and Eddie Butler were not backward when it came to physical confrontation and the forward contest was never less than uncompromising but Ringer went too far, late tackling England's fly-half Horton 15 minutes into the game and becoming the first player to be sent off at Twickenham since the New Zealander Cyril Brownlie in 1925.

Even with 14 men, Wales stuck to their task – they too had won their opening two games and had designs on a grand slam – and a try from Elgan Rees three minutes from time looked to have given them an unlikely victory but Dusty Hare, the great unflappable, landed a penalty from the right touchline seconds from the end and England were home 9-8.

Their fourth match of the championship was at Murrayfield and the result a 30-18 victory with tries coming from Carleton (3), Slemen and Smith.

The Scots were generous in their praise afterwards and a crew from Baildon RUFC were even more so with a glass or two of their Champagne before the long drive home.

England were on the rise, they had found a way to beat Wales at last – even though Ringer had contributed massively to his side's downfall – and even though there would be yet another downturn round the corner, belief had been gained and the pattern laid: a powerful pack augmented by skilful, swift backs, could give England the supremacy they craved.

It would take more innovation and more strong personalities on and off the field to create a team capable of reaching a World Cup final – that tournament was not even a dream on that day in 1980 when Ringer walked – but for many, the start was that one-point success against Wales.

Further grand slams and the false dawn of the 1991 final at Twickenham would follow, then came the great moment in Sydney 12 years later.

Now 2011 beckons and could Saturday's win over Wales offer a similar ray of hope in these most trying of times?