Doug Baker (rugby union)

Douglas George Santley Baker (born 29 November 1929) was a British international rugby player, most notable for taking part in the British Lions tour of South Africa.[2]

Douglas George Santley Baker

Birth name	Douglas George Santley Baker
Date of birth	29 November 1929
Place of birth	Las Palmas, Canary Islands
School	Merchant Taylors School
Rugby union career
Position(s) Fly-half, Full-back[1] Amateur team(s) Years Team Apps (Points) 1949-1955 1951-1952 County Old Merchant Taylors Oxford University () National team(s) Years Team Apps (Points) 1955 1955  England British and Irish Lions 4 2 0 3

Biography

He was born in Las Palmas in the Canary Isles. He was educated at Merchant Taylors School and Oxford University, gaining Blues in 1951 and 1952. He also played for his school's old boys club Old Merchant Taylors' FC.[3]

In 1953/54 he played against New Zealand for both London Counties and South-Eastern Counties. He was invited to play for the Barbarian F.C. and played for them eight times between 1953 and 1957, scoring a total of 20 points for the side.[4]

His test debut for England was against Wales at Cardiff, 22 January 1955. He was capped four times for England as a fly-half in 1955. He also took part in the 1955 British Lions tour to South Africa, playing in two tests as a full-back. His first test was against South Africa at Pretoria on 3 September 1955 where he scored a penalty earning 3 points for the Lions in their victory. His second test was against South Africa at Port Elizabeth, 24 September 1955. He was also part of the team who played the East Africa rugby union team as the Lions returned home.[5]

References

1. ESPN Scrum - England/Players and Officials/Doug Baker
2. "SA Rugby Player Profile – Doug Baker". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 30 May 2016.
3. Old Merchant Taylors' Centenary p.26
4. Barbarian FC Archives
5. ESPN Match report