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Jack Bassett

Jack Bassett
Full name John Archibald Bassett
Date of birth (1905-07-11)11 July 1905
Place of birth Trebanog, Wales
Date of death 19 February 1989(1989-02-19) (aged 83)
Place of death Cardiff, Wales
Height 5 ft. 10½ in.
Weight 13 st. 7 lb.
Notable relative(s) Arthur Bassett (brother)
Occupation(s) Police officer
Rugby union career
Position(s) Full back
Amateur team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
?
?
?
1924–1934
1930–1931
1934–1936
Kenfig Hill RFC
Pyle RFC
Aberavon RFC
Penarth RFC
Barbarian F.C.
Cardiff Athletic RFC
Glamorgan Police RFC
()
National team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
?
1929–1932
1930
Welsh Schools
Wales
British Lions
?
15
5
(?)
(29)
(0)
Position(s) Full back
Amateur team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
?
?
?
1924–1934
1930–1931
1934–1936
Kenfig Hill RFC
Pyle RFC
Aberavon RFC
Penarth RFC
Barbarian F.C.
Cardiff Athletic RFC
Glamorgan Police RFC
()
National team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
?
1929–1932
1930
Welsh Schools
Wales
British Lions
?
15
5
(?)
(29)
(0)

Jack Bassett (11 July 1905 – 19 February 1989) was a Welsh international rugby union full back who played club rugby for Penarth. He won 15 caps for Wales and was selected for the 1930 British Lions tour of Australia and New Zealand. He captained the Welsh team on nine occasions.

Bassett was not the fastest full back, but had a great positional sense on the field which ensured he was always close to the action. He was seen as one of the most devastating tacklers in the game, and many opposing backs would throw the ball into touch rather than allow Bassett to hit them in full flow.

Bassett began playing rugby with Kenfig Hill and Pyle before playing a handful of games with Aberavon. He joined the Glamorgan Constabulary in 1924 and found himself stationed in Penarth. From his new town, Bassett played for both the Police XV and Penarth. Although playing for an "unfavourable" club, the Wales full back position became free during the 1928/29 season and the selectors decided to choose the player from the Newport vs Penarth game. Although Newport won the game, Bassett had the better game over Newport's Bill Everson, and was chosen to represent his country.

Bassett was first capped for Wales against England on 19 January 1929 at Twickenham. Although Wales lost the match Bassett retained his place and played in the remaining three games of the Championship. Bassett played all four games in the 1930 Five Nations Championship, and in the third game against Ireland, Bassett was given the captaincy of Wales for the first time, and also gained his first international points with a drop goal. Bassett had one of his best games against Ireland, with superb defensive play and decisive tackling, saving three tries during the game. The final game of the tournament was a vicious affair against a pugilistic French team, but Bassett missed the match as he had been chosen to tour with the British Lions and was already on his way to Australia.


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