Those who also manned the barricades during the 1968 Five Nations

Bernard Duprat (Bayonne):

Proud Basque who made over 400 appearance for Bayonne in a 15-year career. Scored nine tries in 15 Tests for France Jean Trillo (Begles): 28 caps at centre, often alongside Jo Maso. A professor of physical education, he was also France’s assistant coach at the 1991 World Cup

Andre Abadie (Albi):

Diminutive prop who won seven caps at the end of his career, the last against Ireland in the 1968 Five Nations

Jean Michel Cabanier (Montauban):

Experienced hooker who lost only five times in his 26 Test appearances. International career came to halt in the night of the long knives ahead of the England game in 1968

Arnaldo Gruarin (Toulon):

An Italian born near Venice whose family moved to Toulon. Won 26 caps at tighthead before becoming part of the purge after the Ireland game

Benoit Dauga (Mont de Marsan):

Fantastic all-purpose lock or No. 8 who won 63 caps between 1964 and 1972 in an era when there was much less Test rugby

Jean Joseph Rupert (Tyrosse):

Athletic backrow player whose appearance against Scotland first up in the 1968 tournament was the last of 14 Test caps for France

Pierre Villepreux (Toulouse):

Legendary full-back who could be devastating in attack while he could knock over penalty goals from his own half. Won 34 caps, coached Italy between 1978-81 and was the assistant France coach when Jean Claude Skrela was in charge.

Jean Pierre Lux (Tyrosse):

A dentist by profession, Lux won 42 caps between 196875. Served as president of the European Rugby Cup from 1999 to 2014.

Jean Gachassin (Lourdes):

Brilliant attacking back, capped 34 times by France, starting in all positions behind the scrum except for scrumhalf. Now president of the French Tennis Federation

Jean Henri Mir (Lourdes):

Diminutive scrum-half who played in two Tests with his final appearance coming against Scotland in the first match of the 1968 competition

Jean Salut (Toulouse Olympic):

Seven caps in total. Played against Ireland and England and was selected to play against Wales but withdrew with an injury.