David Duckham was an England and Lions wing celebrated for his try-scoring exploits on the victorious 1971 Lions tour of New Zealand.
David John Duckham MBE was born on 28 June 1946 in Coventry, Warwickshire, England, and attended King Henry VIII Grammar School before playing his entire club career with his hometown club, Coventry RFC, scoring 147 tries and being recognised as the finest player in the club's history. He made his England debut at centre against Ireland in 1969, scoring a spectacular 60-yard try. Duckham played 36 games for England across a career hampered by the national side's inconsistent form during the era, but it was under the tutelage of Lions coach Carwyn James, on the 1971 tour of Australia and New Zealand, that his talent truly flourished. Deployed on the wing rather than at his usual centre position, Duckham scored 11 tries across the tour and helped the Lions to a historic series victory over the All Blacks — the only time the Lions have ever won a series in New Zealand. Duckham was the only English back selected for the famous Barbarians side that beat the All Blacks 23-11 at Cardiff Arms Park in 1973, his dynamic performances earning him the affectionate nickname "Dai" from the adoring Welsh crowd. His electric run against Scotland in 1973, remembered as "the greatest try never scored," remains one of the most celebrated passages of play in rugby history despite not resulting in a score. Duckham was appointed MBE in 1977 for services to rugby football, and was named in the BBC's 2004 Six Nations Dream XV. He died on 9 January 2023, at age 76, prompting tributes from across the rugby world including Bill Beaumont and Jason Leonard.
Iconic England/Lions wing of the 1970s ("Duckham's Ducks")
How They Played
Duckham was renowned for his exceptional pace and elusive running style that made him a constant threat on the wing. He possessed excellent footwork and acceleration that allowed him to beat defenders and create scoring opportunities from seemingly impossible positions.
Lasting Impact
Duckham is remembered as one of England's greatest wingers and helped establish the template for modern attacking wing play in rugby union.
Career Honours
- 1971 Lions series winner (New Zealand)
- part of Barbarians' legendary 1973 try v New Zealand
| Club | Period | Apps | Tries | Shirt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coventry | 1967–1979 | 232 | 16 | #11 |
 England | — | 36 | 10 | — |