John Gadd Finally Receives England Cap After 44-Year Wait
John Gadd, a former player for Gloucester, has been awarded a retrospective cap by the Rugby Football Union (RFU), recognizing his contributions to the England rugby team during the early 1980s. Gadd, who played against Fiji and Canada in 1982 and 1983, respectively, was never officially recognized as an international player until now. After 44 years, Gadd joins a group of 47 players who did not receive caps at the time of their matches. He expressed his joy during an interview with BBC Radio Gloucestershire, stating, "For any player in any generation, the ultimate is to play for your country and to get a cap." Gadd noted that his family, particularly his late parents and his rugby-enthusiast uncle, would have cherished this recognition. Playing as a flanker for Gloucester from the late 1970s to early 1990s, Gadd was part of a back row that included the notable Mike Teague. He represented England B early in his career and participated in a summer tour to the United States and Canada. Historically, matches against teams like Fiji were not deemed worthy of caps, a practice that has since changed. Gadd reflected on this, saying, "In our day, playing against Fiji was never a capped game... I feel I earned my cap at least." The RFU's initiative aims to honor players dating back to 1945 who participated in matches against the best available teams from other nations. A ceremony to present the caps is scheduled for later this year, with the RFU also seeking to contact families of 28 other players yet to receive their honors. Gadd admitted he thought the chance for recognition had passed, stating, "I didn’t think I’d get a cap, but how wrong was I." At 67, he finds the award surreal, finally receiving the cap he long believed he would never attain.
Source: BBC Sport - 2026-04-08