Doug Prentice

Frank Douglas Prentice (21 September 1898 – 3 October 1962) was an English rugby union player and administrator who played 239 games for Leicester Tigers between 1923 and 1931, was captain of the 1930 British Lions tour to New Zealand and Australia and served as Secretary of the Rugby Football Union between 1947 and 1962.

Playing career

Despite attending a rugby playing school in Leicester Prentice was a keen footballer in his youth. During The First World War he served with the Royal Artillery and, when posted to France, joined the ANZACs whose enthusiasm for rugby converted him. He was badly wounded at Passchendaele in 1917.

Prentice began his rugby career with local side Westleigh, at the time Leicester was strictly an invitation only club and his debut for side came on 26 November 1923 away to Neath, Tigers lost 37–6 but Prentice scored one of Leicester's two tries. despite his international caps coming at either Number 8 or Lock. Prentice was a regular try scorer for Leicester scoring 7 tries in his first season and 8 in 31 games the next. Prentice played in England's next two games against and to secure the 1928 Five Nations Championship and the grandslam. Leicester did not prosper however recording more losses than wins for the first time since 1889–90. His second season as captain saw a return to regular winning ways; Tigers won 26 of their 39 games whilst Prentice was again top scorer with 106 points in 26 matches.

He returned from the tour and played a final season for Leicester, featuring in 24 games he top-scored with 104 points despite missing the first 13 whilst on the Lions tour. On 18 April 1931 he was given the honour of captaining the side in his final appearance, a 25–5 win against Blackheath at Welford Road.

Administration career

After retiring from playing rugby in 1931 Prentice moved into the administration of the game. He became an national team selector in 1932 and was manager of the 1936 British Lions tour to Argentina. He became Secretary of the Rugby Football Union in 1947, at this point he stopped being a selector for the national side, and held the position for 15 years until ill health forced him to retire in 1962. During the Second World War he served in the Royal Army Service Corps and was taken prisoner.