RFU pays tribute to oldest international
The Rugby Football Union has paid tribute to George William Hastings who has died at the age of 95.
The former England and Gloucester forward died recently and was as the country’s oldest former international.
Born in Dursley and educated at Cheltenham Grammar School, George’s early clubs were Old Patesians and Cheltenham. He went on to play 13 times for England, 260 times for Gloucester, 34 times for Gloucestershire and 20 times for the Barbarians.
Having played at prop for Cheltenham against Gloucester in 1948, he made his Gloucester debut against Cardiff in the second row four days later.
A skilful forward, he excelled at prop but could also play in the second or back row. His speed saw him scoring a total of 30 tries for Gloucester, captaining them in the 1954-55 season.
George won the first of his England caps in 1955 against Wales and played in all four Five Nations Tests, scoring a try against Ireland. He featured in all four Tests when England won the Grand Slam in 1957. In 1958 he once again he appeared throughout the Five Nations, as well as featuring against Australia.
Hastings played 34 times for Gloucestershire, including a Championship Final game against Warwickshire in 1959. He was county captain for the 1955-56 season and also played for the Western Counties against the All Blacks in 1953.
George played his final game for Gloucester on 14 November 1959 at Moseley when Gloucester were short of six players who were playing for the county. The depleted team won 18-3 with George kicking three conversions.
RFU President Peter Wheeler said: “George’s performances for his club Gloucester, his county of Gloucestershire and for England marked him out as an outstanding forward with the ability to score match winning tries. He was an exceptional figure in post-war rugby and epitomised the best of our sport.”
