324Basil Nicholson
324

BasilNicholson

Centre
  • Date of Birth01 / 01 / 1913
  • Died01 / 08 / 1985
  • Lions Tours1938
  • International CapsEngland / Lions
  • Lions Origin SchoolsWhitgift School Croydon
  • Lions Origin ClubsHarlequins, Barbarians, Old Whitgiftians

Basil Nicholson’s finest hour arguably came when he featured in a poem by Louis MacNeice entitled Rugby Football Excursion that details a trip from London Euston to Dublin which culminated in England beating Ireland 36-14 at Lansdowne Road.

This was the second of Nicholson’s three England Tests which saw him score his one and only try for the Red Rose.

Lewisham-born centre Nicholson was part of the final pre-World War Two British & Irish Lions Tour to South Africa in 1938.

He played ten times for the Lions, scoring twice against Rhodesia, and started in the second Test 19-3 loss.