George Aillères (3 December 1934 – 20 October 2024) was a French rugby league player who represented France in the 1968 World Cup. He was the father of the fellow France rugby league international Pierre Aillères. He was nicknamed "Le Cube" ("The Cube") due to his "imposing physical presence".[2]

George Aillères
Aillères playing against Great Britain in Wigan, 1967
Personal information
Born(1934-12-03)3 December 1934
Poucharramet, Haute-Garonne, France
Died20 October 2024(2024-10-20) (aged 89)
Playing information
Rugby union
PositionProp, Lock
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
19??–19?? Rieumes
19?–19?? TOEC
Total 0 0 0 0 0
Rugby league
PositionProp, Second-row, Loose forward
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
19??–65 Toulouse Olympique
1966 Lézignan Sangliers
1967–?? Toulouse Olympique
Total 0 0 0 0 0
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1961–70 France 34 1 0 0 3
Coaching information
Club
Years Team Gms W D L W%
Toulouse Olympique
Source: [1]
As of 16 January 2021

Playing career

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Before switching to rugby league, Aillères played rugby union for Rieumes and then for Toulouse Olympique Employés Club. Later, he started his rugby league career playing for Toulouse Olympique, with which he arrived second at the championship final in 1964 and won a championship title in 1965. He then joined briefly Lézignan Sangliers, winning the Lord Derby Cup in 1966, before returning to Toulouse Olympique. Aillères made his French debut in 1961. He toured New Zealand in 1964.[3] He was selected as the French captain for the 1968 Rugby League World Cup. George played in his last match for France in 1970.[1]

Death and legacy

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Aillères died on 20 October 2024, at the age of 89.[4] The Georges Aillères French Cup is named in his honor.

References

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  1. ^ a b George Aillères rugbyleagueproject.org
  2. ^ Rylance, Mike (2 November 2020). "France Captain in Hall of Fame". Rugby Leaguer & League Express. 3199: 24 – via ISSN 0962-1547.
  3. ^ John Coffey, Bernie Wood (2008). 100 years: Māori rugby league, 1908-2008. Huia Publishers. p. 178. ISBN 9781869693312.
  4. ^ "Carnet noir : Georges Aillères, figure du rugby à XIII toulousain et français, s'en est allé à l'âge de 89 ans". La Dépêche. 20 October 2024. Retrieved 20 October 2024.