James Peters: The First Black Rugby player to represent England

Now that a breath taking Six Nations has drawn to a close I would like to shed some light on James Peters, the first black rugby player to represent England. It would be eighty years before another black player was chosen to represent his country at international level.

In 1881, James lived in Liverpool:

Census record: 1881: No 8 Alderney Street, Liverpool

His father George was a circus performer and was killed entering a lion’s cage.

James played cricket and rugby at school. He was also an outstanding athlete winning the 100 yards, mile, long jump, high jump and walking races in 1894.

After leaving school Peters worked in the printing trade. He moved to Bristol in 1898 and two years later joined Knowle Rugby Club. Some members objected to the inclusion of a black man and resigned from the club.

In 1901 James was recorded in Bristol with his mother, Hannah, stepfather, Willliam Hart, and two younger brothers Robert & Henry.

Census record: 1901. 10 Sydney Street, St Gabriel’s. St Philip & St Jacob, Bristol, the area known as “The Dings.”

James worked as a general labourer.  At this time Rugby Union was a strictly amateur sport.

Report of a match between Bristol & Neath: “Peters gallantly racing across & stopping him.”Bristol Times & Mirror, 25.2.1901

In total James Peters played 35 matches for Bristol between 1900-1902. In 1906, he was dropped from the tour match against South Africa, and many believe this may have been due to the colour of his skin. This did not stop him from continuing his success with the team. He went on to win a total of 5 caps for England. After his years with Bristol, Peters went on to play for Devon and Somerset, and later play Rugby League at Barrow. His last England appearance was at Ashton Gate when England played Wales and lost in heavy fog.

He died in 1954 at the age of 74. It took Rugby another 80 years before another black player was capped at an International level.

William & Hannah Hart were still in Bristol in 1911 at 7 Sidney Place, Stapleton Road, Henry Peters, aged 24, a plumber’s labourer still lived at home. Robert Peters, a sanitary worker for Bristol Council was married to Florence Spratt in 1910, and they had a young daughter. They lived at 23 Seal Street, Easton.