21.1.2019
It’s more than 40 years since the Pontypool Front Row last left Wales and headed up the M4 to HQ in Twickenham to take part in the then Five Nations. This time it’s their Grogg version that’s making the trip as part of a display ‘March of the Groggs’ which being launched at the World Rugby Museum in Twickenham.
Richard & Simon get the ‘Viet Gwent’ on the road.
“March of the Groggs” will be launched during this year’s Six Nations and will reflect the history of the Groggs and their relationship with our beloved game. The huge Pontypool Front Row has never actually left the Groggshop being one of very few pieces that was literally too much to handle. Made by Richard Hughes in 1978 it has become something of a Grogg legend, the challenge being if you could lift it you could take it with you. As yet no one has succeeded!
The display will also show very early pieces made by the Groggshop founder John Hughes and the very first Rugby figures made by him in 1969. Richard Hughes has also made a specially commissioned Grogg of John Clayton who played in the very first ever rugby union international when Scotland played England in Edinburgh in 1871. The figure of John Clayton will be shown in its very early development stages and piece by piece all the way to the finished painted Grogg showing the lengthy and time consuming process involved in every Grogg figure made. The World Rugby Museum has had some Groggs on display for some time but this is the first time an exhibition explaining the process of Grogg making has taken place and we are honoured and very excited it has happened at the home of Rugby Union.
Richard gives the piece a wash before it takes pride of place at the World Rugby Museum
“March of the Groggs” opens 9th February until 1st September, for more details keep watching our social media and www.worldrugbymuseum.com
