The Players
Francois Xavier Dutour (1886 - 1978)
French champion with Toulouse against Racing in 1912
Francois Xavier Dutour was a French turn of the century fullback. His rugby career began at Blaise Pascal high school in Clermont with the school-side known as ‘Les Isis’. His studies of veterinary medicine led him to Toulouse where he was invited to join the Stade Toulosian and his club successes evolved to him being selected for the national team.
Player stats
position FULL BACK (15)
height 5FT 9”
weight 11ST 7LB
debut ENGLAND V FRANCE TWICKENHAM 28TH JAN 1911
appearances 6
France’s governing body for rugby, The Fédération Française de Rugby, made the decision to remove the two rings from the jersey badge in 1922, changing the emblem to a cockerel standing atop a rugby ball.
The French fifteen was an emerging side, having debuted with their first official test match on New Year’s Day, 1906 against New Zealand in Paris.
On January 28th 1911, Dutour made his debut playing England at Twickenham. It was a hotly anticipated tie, with France having gained their first international victory with a win over Scotland just weeks before. Crowds were keen to see this maturing French side become a new force on the Five Nations scene. Unfortunately for ‘Les Bleus’, they couldn’t follow-up their success and played poorly, also suffering injuries to key players within the first half -including Dutour.
Determined not to repeat the disappointment Francois overcame his injury and played in a contest against the Irish in March of the same year, opening his international account with first half points.
In 1912, Dutour became a French Champion winning the domestic championship with Toulouse and gaining a further three caps for his country. In 1913 he played his last international match due to the advent of The Great War.
It is a sombre thought that many of his contemporaries, with whom he shared the field upon his debut at Twickenham, did not get to reach their fullest potential, their careers cruelly cut short in wartime. Happily, Dutour survived both wars and did not pass away until 1978.
The Dutour
A vintage reproduction of the classic 1912 international France rugby shirt
Made from 100% cotton, this Francois Dutour jersey is a study of the original worn by the legendary fullback.
Its highly woven cloth delivers supreme quality with a contrast twill collar and featuring nape embroidery commemorating the player’s signature characteristics.
The particulars of the original were carefully studied and reproduced culminating in a ‘bootlace’ collar and colour-matching the fabric to stunning effect. We’ve incorporated the original French Gallic rooster emblem on the chest with unparalleled detail, delivering an authentic vintage jersey that is tailored for a contemporary audience.
100% British made in our manufacturing facility here in the Midlands, with yarn spun in the same building.
Limited Edition range with only 250 jerseys available!