In March 1955, Wales had to win at the Stade Colombes in Paris to have a share of the Five Nations Championship title. Wales succeeded and played superbly to prevent France winning the Championship outright for the first time.
Pack leader, Rees Stephens, was outstanding and after first choice flankers Clem Thomas and Len Davies withdrew, stand-ins Brian Sparkes and new cap Derek Williams played well enough to ensure Wales shared the Championship.
Centre Alun Thomas swerved over in the first half and the second-half try by Cardiff wing Haydn Morris was an even better effort. Thomas, having been served by Cliff Morgan, ran down the right wing kicking high to the centre, where Morris leapt like a gazelle to catch and dive over.
Fullback Garfield Owen, who later played for Halifax at Rugby League and still lives there, placed two conversions and two penalty goals in his usual neat style. It was the first all-ticket match in Paris and a record crowd of 62,000 were present in sunny conditions.
The match also saw the final Five Nations Championship appearances for their country of scrum half Rex Willis and French skipper Jean Prat, nicknamed ‘Monsieur Rugby’ by his Lourdes clubmates.
