Jacques Merquey

Who is Jacques Merquey?

Jacques Merquey, was a French rugby footballer of the 1950s. An dual-code rugby international, his position was centre, later in his career this changed to stand-off. He played his club football for Sporting Olympique Avignon XIII, becoming the most capped International, with 37 games for France. Merquey is the only Frenchman to play in the first three successive World Cups, in 1954, 1957 and 1960.

Merquey originally played rugby union, where he also represented France, in a total of four games against England, Wales, Ireland and Scotland in 1950.

In 1951 Merquey was part of the first ever French rugby league tour of Australia. He was selected to represent France as they hosted the 1954 Rugby League World Cup, also the first ever. His French side beat New Zealand. He played strong a strong role in France's draw with Great Britain and scored a crucial try in the win over Australia to secure a position in the final, where France lost 12 to 6 to Great Britain.

In the 1957 Rugby League World Cup, Merquey captained France, scoring a try in the loss to Great Britain and leading them to victory over New Zealand. He was then selected to captain the Rest-of-the-World side against Australia.