History teacher, Paul Garlington with members of England's Rugby World Cup squad

A Stonyhurst St. Mary’s Hall teacher recently lead England’s Rugby World Cup Squad to the Somme battlefield in Northern France as they prepared for their first match in the competition.

Paul Garlington, the head of History at Stonyhurst St Mary’s Hall, is an acknowledged expert on the First World War battlefields and it was his idea that the England team should pay their respects to the fallen.

History teacher, Paul Garlington with members of England's Rugby World Cup squad

“The intention was to add an extra dimension to their preparation and to boost their national pride and patriotism. Far from being morbid and sombre, the experience of the visit was extremely uplifting,” he said.

“As the World Cup is in France this year, and considering that a number of England rugby internationals died on The Somme, I felt it appropriate that they should visit war graves to pay their respects.”

Paul mentioned his idea to former England star and Stonyhurst pupil Will Greenwood who immediately agreed and approached Head Coach Brian Ashton, who was head of rugby at the College between 1980 and 1987.

He too agreed it was a good idea and he asked Paul, who also coaches rugby at Stonyhurst, to arrange the visit and lead the delegation.

The visits took place recently when the squad, management and coaches made their way to Lens for the first match against the US Eagles.

History teacher, Paul Garlington with members of England's Rugby World Cup squad

They will detour to Mansell Copse near Mametz to see the graveyard containing English soldiers who lost their lives on the first day of the Battle of The Somme.

Then they went to the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, where more than 72,000 soldiers are commemorated. Among them are four England rugby internationals. A total of 27 lost their lives during the Great War, including the 1914 Grand Slam captain N.A. Wodehouse.

The Thiepval Memorial

“I pointed out to today’s players that they were looking at the graves of men who were just like them. Some of them played for their country but many others may well have thronged the terraces at Twickenham in their day to watch the rugby stars of their day.

“They made the ultimate sacrifice in perfect patriotism. For today’s rugby stars to pay their respects in this way is a modern example of patriotism and the England squad should be complimented for it.”

Brian Ashton said: “On behalf of the whole squad we feel it is important to visit the grave sites to pay our respects to all the brave soldiers who lost their lives fighting for their country. I’m sure it will be a moving experience for everyone.”

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The media frenzy in this story included I.T.V. coverage