Quick Facts
Biography
Jean Prat (1 August 1923 – 25 February 2005) was French rugby union footballer. He was awarded the Légion d'honneur in 1959. He played over 50 times for France and is a member of both the International Rugby Hall of Fame and IRB Hall of Fame, being inducted in 2001 and 2011 respectively. His younger brother also appeared for France, with the pair appearing together at international level on a number of occasions.
Career
Prat was born in Lourdes, Midi-Pyrénées.
He won his first cap for France in a match against the British Army at Parc des Princes in January 1945. Prat kicked two conversions that helped France to win the game 21 points to nine. Prat then played for France in matches against a British Empire XV, a non-capped Wales XV and a 'Kiwis' team. Prat then played in the 1947 Five Nations. After playing in the first match of the subsequent Five Nations, he played in a Test against Australia, which France won 13 points to six. Prat then played in the rest of the Five Nations Championship.
Following the 1949 Five Nations Prat played in two Tests against Argentina. Prat played in the 1950, 1951 and 1952 Five Nations, and then played in a match against a touring Springboks team, which South Africa on 25 to three. He ran on for his first match as captain of France in the opening match of the 1954 Five Nations against Scotland. One of his most famous moments came in 1954 when Prat scored a barn-storming try against the All Blacks, which saw France win the match three points to nil. He continued to captain France to their first ever Five Nations victory, sharing the championship with Wales and England.
His final season of Test rugby was in 1955. He played his final Five Nations match against Wales during the Five Nations at Stade Colombes in Paris. Having previously defeated England, Ireland and Scotland in the tournament, a win over the Welsh would have seen France capture their first Grand Slam and outright championship. He played his last match for France against Italy. His leadership and skills laid the foundations for France to emerge fully on the international stage.
Prat died at Tarbes in 2005.