Andy Simpson, a former rugby union flanker, has been officially recognized as a capped England international at the age of 71. The Rugby Football Union (RFU) confirmed the posthumous awarding of caps to players who represented England in non-Test matches against traditional touring teams before 1996. Simpson played for England against the 1975 Wallabies in a match that was not classified as a full Test at the time.
Simpson, who earned 12 representative appearances for England, believed his chance for a cap had passed. The RFU's review of historical matches led to the decision to award caps for certain fixtures, including the 1975 game against Australia. He received a call from the World Rugby Museum at Twickenham informing him of the decision, which he initially thought was a prank.
The change in policy stems from a 2021 RFU council decision to award caps for matches against major touring sides. This has led to over 200 former players, including Simpson, being retrospectively capped. Simpson's family expressed immense pride, with his son noting it was a moment his father had "given up hope" of ever experiencing.
Andy Simpson played his club rugby for Harlequins and Richmond. His official cap presentation took place in a ceremony acknowledging the historical oversight, finally granting him a place on the official list of England internationals.
