Joseph Desclaux
France international dual-code rugby player
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Joseph Desclaux (1 February 1912 – 26 March 1988) was a French international rugby union player.[1]
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Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Born | 1 February 1912 Collioure, France | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Died | 26 March 1988 (aged 76) Perpignan, France | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Playing information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.68 m (5 ft 6 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 74 kg (163 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rugby union | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Centre / Fly-half | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Rugby league | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Centre, Stand-off | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Biography
Desclaux was born in Collioure into a family that operated a anchovy-salting factory. He developed his rugby during his time boarding at Collège de Perpignan and when back home played for Collioure sportif.[2]
A foundation player for USA Perpignan in 1933, Desclaux debuted for France the following year and played international rugby union until 1938, when after captaining his club to the Brennus Shield title decided to sign with rugby league side Bordeaux XIII. He returned to rugby union after rugby league was banned by the Vichy government in World War II, during which he served with the 4th Engineering Corps in Grenoble. On New Year's Day 1945, Desclaux was capped again for France in a match against the British Army.[3]