Ray French

For the baseball player, seeRay French (baseball).For the American printmaker and artist, seeRay H. French.

Raymond James French,MBE(born 23 December 1939)is an English formerrugby leagueandrugby unionfootballer who played in the 1950s and 1960s. French played at international levelin both codes.He won four caps forEnglandin rugby union in 1961 as a lock forward, then moved to rugby league as asecond-rowand played for his home town club,St. Helens,before going on to play atWidnes.

Ray French
MBE

Personal information
Full name	Raymond James FrenchMBE
Born	(1939-12-23)23 December 1939 St Helens,Lancashire, England
Playing information
Rugby union
Club Years Team Pld T G FG P –1961 St Helens RUFC Representative Years Team Pld T G FG P 1961–61 England 4 0 0 0 0
Rugby league
Position	Second-row
Club Years Team Pld T G FG P 1961–67 St. Helens 204 10 0 0 30 1967–71 Widnes 123 6 0 0 18 Total 327 16 0 0 48 Representative Years Team Pld T G FG P 1968 Great Britain 4 0 0 0 0 196? Lancashire 0 0 0 0
Source:

After training as a school teacher,he taught atCowley SchoolinSt. Helens,Lancashire,where his local counterparts includedBrian Ashtonwho taught atStonyhurst College.

French was a commentator for the BBC on rugby league on both television and radio, beginning his television career in 1981 following the retirement ofEddie Waring.He is well known for his range ofcolloquialisms.French is regularly heard on the Rugby League showTry Timeeach Thursday onBBC Radio Merseysidegiving his views on the state of the game in his forthright way. He retired in 2019.

In 2010, French received the Mike Gregory Spirit of Rugby League Award to mark his contribution to the game.

Also President of the St Helens Past Players' Association, French was appointedMember of the Order of the British Empire(MBE) in the 2011 New Year Honours for services to rugby league.

Playing career

Championship final appearances

Ray French played left-second-rowinSt. Helens' 35–12 victory overHalifaxin theChampionship Finalduring the1965–66 seasonatStation Road, Swintonon Saturday 28 May 1966, in front of a crowd of 30,165.

Challenge Cup Final appearances

Ray French played left-second-rowin St. Helens' 21–2 victory overWiganin the1966 Challenge CupFinal during the1965–66 seasonatWembley Stadium,Londonon Saturday 21 May 1966, in front of a crowd of 98,536.

County Cup Final appearances

Ray French played right-second-rowin St. Helens' 25–9 victory overSwintonin the1961 Lancashire CupFinal atCentral Park,Wiganon Saturday 11 November 1961; played left-second-rowin the 15–4 victory overLeighin the1963 Lancashire CupFinal at Station Road, Swinton on Saturday 26 October 1963, and played left-second-rowin the 12–4 victory over Swinton in the1964 Lancashire CupFinal atCentral Park, Wigan on Saturday 24 October 1964.

BBC2 Floodlit Trophy Final appearances

Ray French played left-propin St. Helens' 0–4 defeat byCastlefordin the1965 BBC2 Floodlit TrophyFinal atKnowsley Road,St. Helenson Tuesday 14 December 1965.

Ray French Award

In August 2019 the Rugby Football League ran a poll among fans on the Our League app to name a trophy for the man of the match award in the1895 CupFinal. French was one of three names in the poll along withWillie HorneandJohnny Whiteley.French won the poll with over 60% of the votes cast and presented the award at the inauguralfinalon 24 August 2019 toSheffield'sAnthony Thackeray.

Award winners

• 2019Anthony Thackeray-Sheffield Eagles
• 2020 Not awarded - no competition played due to the COVID-19 pandemic
• 2021Craig Hall-Featherstone Rovers

External links

• Statistics at en.espn.co.uk
• Saints Heritage Society profile
• Widnes RLFC Player Profile