In the year 1910
France was invited to join the tournament which, until then, was reserved exclusively for the 4 Anglo-saxon countries.
The 5 nations tournament was born and took place from 1st of January to 28th of March. France played Wales on 1st of January 1910 ; when it was the tradition to start the tournament on the first day of the year.
The day before taking the train France was down to 14 players. The prop chosen for the tournament couldn’t free himself from military obligations. A replacement was sought , Joseph Anduran prop for the SCUF, had to be persuaded by Charles Brennus not to participate in a New Year’s party organised by his wife. Was it the idea of defending his country’s honnor that made him leave for Wales ? The fact remains that Joseph Anduran was selected for the first and last time.
That year, France won its first wooden spoon despite some respectable scores and a game that was judged still rather « backward » according to its captain, Marcel Communeau.
