Post by Pete Jenkins

England Rugby to award retrospective caps – John Fletcher (Tynedale, Northampton and England)   John Fletcher is the third of those retro caps, I am featuring with photos from my ‘From the Back of a Motorbike’ rugby archive.   When I first read the list John Fletcher was a name that I didn’t immediately recognise. But I thought about it and I recall him featuring in the Northampton Saints album (and later book) that I produced back in COVID times that was presented to Keith Barwell.   Then of course I photographed him playing for the North during the Divisional Championship and it slowly started to gel. Fletcher started his senior rugby career at Tynedale Rugby Club, and it was the Divisionals that allowed him to be seen on a bigger stage. He was selected for the 1993 Canada Tour ahead of many other possible better-known candidates – his talent was recognised.   A strong centre, he played in matches on the tour, the 2nd match v B C Presidents XV in Vancouver, the 4th v Ontario at Toronto and the 5th v Canada at the Twin Elm Rugby Park in Ottawa where he came on for Paul Challinor after 58 minutes.   After the tour Fletcher was recruited by Northampton Saints and his rugby career took off. Post playing, he took over from Rob Andrew as Rugby Director at Newcastle Falcons. He went on to become Professional Rugby Player Development manager at the RFU.   As I am still less than half-way through digitising my Fleet Street negatives it is quite likely that more images of John will be revealed as time goes on. Here’s hoping   Great player   Memories are made of this.   I love my rugby. Happy days!   Rugby is a wonderful sport. It is so much more than just a game. It makes us happy, and it provides us with lifelong friends. When play on the pitch stops, those friendships endure and remain with us for ever. Photographs are one way of reminding us of our teammates and the friends that we made over the years.   #rugby #networking #business follow #FBMrugbyphotos   Photos © 1992-1994 Pete Jenkins – John Fletcher (Tynedale, Northampton and England)