Jean Prat

Infobox Rugby biography
name = Jean Prat


caption =
birthname =
nickname =
dateofbirth =
birthyear = 1923
birthmonth = 08
birthday = 01
placeofbirth = Lourdes, France
dateofdeath = 2005-02-25
placeofdeath = Tarbes, France
height = height|m=1.76
weight = convert|84|kg|lb|abbr=on|lk=on
ru_position = Flanker|capital=yes
ru_amateuryears = 1939-1958
ru_amateurclubs = FC Lourdes
ru_amupdate = 2007-06-04
ru_nationalteam = France
ru_nationalyears = 1945-1955
ru_nationalcaps = 51
ru_nationalpoints = (139)
ru_ntupdate = 2007-06-04
ru_clubyears =
ru_proclubs =
ru_clubcaps =
ru_clubpoints =
ru_clubupdate =
ru_coachclubs = France
ru_coachyears = 1964-1968
ru_coachupdate = 2007-06-04
occupation =
family =
spouse =
children =
relatives =
school =
university =

Jean Prat (1 August 1923 – 25 February 2005) was French rugby union footballer. He was awarded the Légion d'honneur in 1959. He played over 50 times for France and is a member of the International Rugby Hall of Fame, being inducted in 2001. His younger brother also appeared for France. The pair appearing at international level on a number of occasions.

Career

Prat was born in Lourdes, Midi-Pyrénées.

He won his first cap for France in a match against the British Army at Parc des Princes in January 1945. Prat kicked two conversions that helped France to win the game 21 points to nine. Prat then played for France in matches against a British Empire XV, a non-capped Wales XV and a 'Kiwis' team. Prat then played in the 1947 Five Nations. After playing in the first match of the subsequent Five Nations, he played in a Test against Australia, which France won 13 points to six. Prat then played in the rest of the Five Nations Championship.

Following the 1949 Five Nations Prat played in two Tests against Argentina. Prat played in the 1950, 1951 and 1952 Five Nations, and then played in a match against a touring Springboks team, which South Africa on 25 to three. He ran on for his first match as captain of France in the opening match of the 1954 Five Nations against Scotland. One of his most famous moments came in 1954 when Prat scored a barn-storming try against the All Blacks, which saw France win the match three poits to nil. He continued to captain France to their first ever Five Nations victory, sharing the championship with Wales and England.

His final season of Test rugby was in 1955. He played his final Five Nations match against Wales during the Five Nations at Stade Colombes in Paris. Having previously defeated England, Ireland and Scotland in the tournament, a win over the Welsh would have seen France capture their first Grand Slam and out-right championship. He played his last match for France against Italy. His leadership and skills laid the foundations for France to emerge fully on the international stage.

Prat died at Tarbes in 2005.

External links

*cite web| url=http://www.rugbyhalloffame.com/pages/prat2001.htm |publisher=rugbyhalloffame.com |title=Jean Prat |accessdate=2007-06-04
*cite news| url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_20050304/ai_n11847473 |publisher=The Independent (London) |title=Obituary: Jean Prat |date=2005-03-04| |last=Cole |first=Rob |accessdate=2007-06-04
*cite news| url=http://www.planeterugby.net/interviews/itw_prat.htm |title=Jean PRAT |publisher=planetrugby.net |accessdate=2007-06-04 |date=2004-01-11 |language=French
*cite news| url=http://observer.guardian.co.uk/osm/story/0,,1699551,00.html |publisher=The Observer |title=Heroes of French rugby |date=2006-02-05 |accessdate=2007-06-04
*cite web| url=http://www.wru.co.uk/114_4216.php |title=WALES v FRANCE CLASSICS |date=2005-02-25 |publisher=wru.co.uk |accessdate=2007-06-04

Persondata
NAME=Jean Prat
ALTERNATIVE NAMES=
SHORT DESCRIPTION=French Rugby union footballer.
DATE OF BIRTH=1 August 1923
PLACE OF BIRTH=Lourdes, France
DATE OF DEATH=25 February 2005
PLACE OF DEATH=Tarbes, France