David Marques

Reginald William David Marques (9 December 1932 – 29 September 2010) was an English rugby union international lock forward. At club level he represented Cambridge University, the Army and most notably Harlequin F.C. He played international rugby with England and in 1959 he was selected to tour New Zealand and Australia with the British Lions.

Personal history Marques was born in Ware, Hertfordshire in 1932, and was educated at Yardley Court and Tonbridge School where he played in the rugby first XV alongside Colin Cowdrey. Marques completed his national service with the Royal Engineers before matriculating to Cambridge University. After retiring from rugby he joined the family firm making street lights. In 1959 he was chosen to tour Australia and New Zealand with the British Lions. He played in 18 matches of the tour, including two Tests, the Second Test against Australia and Second Test versus New Zealand.

Marques made an impression on the British Lions tour from the moment he arrived. When he stepped off the plane on its arrival at Australia, he was dressed as a stereotypical British gent in white shirt, military tie, dark suit, bowler hat and rolled umbrella. Another event of the tour that showed Marques's personality was when he was kicked in the face during an off-the-ball incident by Albie Pryor. Instead of retaliating, he got to his feet and shook his aggressor's hand; when he was asked by fellow Lion, Bill Mulcahy, why he hadn't punched Pryor, Marques replied, "You wouldn’t understand, Bill. I wanted him to feel a cad."