Biography
John Fergus Slattery, born on February 12, 1949, in Dún Laoghaire, Ireland, is a former rugby union player who made a significant impact in the sport. Known for his skill as an open-side flanker, Slattery was educated at Blackrock College, where his rugby journey began. He later pursued his studies at University College Dublin (UCD), continuing to hone his rugby talents. Beyond his playing days, Slattery worked as a property consultant and remained connected to the rugby community.
Teams Played For and Years
- UCD RFC: Early career
- Blackrock College RFC: After leaving UCD
- Ireland National Team: 1970–1984 (61 caps)
- British and Irish Lions: 1971, 1974 (4 caps)
- Barbarians FC: 1970–1984 (18 caps)
International Appearances
- Represented Ireland 61 times between 1970 and 1984, scoring three tries.
- Captained the Irish team 18 times.
- Played 4 matches for the British and Irish Lions on two tours, including the famous 1974 tour of South Africa.
- Played 18 matches for the Barbarians, scoring 20 points.
Most Important Moments in His Sporting Career
- Ireland Debut (1970): Slattery earned his first cap for Ireland, marking the start of an illustrious 14-year international career.
- 1971 Lions Tour: Selected for the British and Irish Lions squad touring New Zealand. Although he missed the third Test due to illness, his contributions were highly valued.
- Famous 1973 Barbarians Game: Played in the iconic Barbarians match against the All Blacks in Cardiff, a game remembered as one of the greatest ever played.
- 1974 Lions Tour to South Africa: Played in all four Test matches and captained the team in two provincial games, contributing to the Lions’ unbeaten record in the series.
- Ireland’s 1979 Australian Tour: As captain, led Ireland to their most successful tour, winning 7 out of 8 matches, including two Test victories in Brisbane and Sydney.
- 1982 Triple Crown: A pivotal member of the Irish team that achieved the prestigious Triple Crown, a significant highlight in his international career.
- International Rugby Hall of Fame: Inducted in 2007, solidifying his legacy as one of rugby’s all-time greats.