Roy Francis

The remarkable story of a man who eclipsed his own greatness to revolutionise rugby coaching.

In the 1950s and 1960s one man dominated rugby coaching like no other: Roy Francis. He led teams to championships and Wembley finals, revolutionised the art of coaching, and inspired his players to incredible achievements. But even more amazingly for the time, he was a Black man.

As the illegitimate child of a mixed-race couple who gave him up for adoption, his story recounts his upbringing in a Black family living in the Welsh coalfields, a childhood shaped by memories of the 1919 Welsh race riots and, foremost, his gift for rugby. Aged just seventeen, Roy went on to play professionally for Wigan, and despite facing racism, became the first Black player to play for the British Lions in either rugby code.

Roy Francis became Hull rugby league club coach in 1950 where he introduced video-analysis, sports psychology and personalised training – revolutionary methods which turned a mediocre team into championship winners. His crowning glory came as his team triumphed in the famous 1968 'Watersplash' Wembley Cup Final, before heading down under in 1969 as North Sydney rugby league club coach.

Through archives, family members' accounts and former players’ memories, Roy Francis tells the story of a family's journey from slavery to sporting success, and of a remarkable man who eclipsed his own playing greatness by revolutionising coaching.