Swashbuckling rugby union player who became a superstar of the game with Coventry, England and the British and Irish Lions In a largely gloomy period for Englands rugby union side in the 1970s, one player stood out like a beacon. The international game in the northern hemisphere was dominated by a dazzling Wales team and, while England were able to pull off some remarkable victories, such as the 1973 win over the All Blac