John Novak (rugby union)
Michael John Novak (born 27 September 1947) is an English-born Professor of Periodontics and former rugby union international for England. He has been U.S. based since the 1980s.[1]
| Full name | Michael John Novak | ||||||||||||||||
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| Date of birth | 27 September 1947 | ||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Kineton, Warwickshire, England | ||||||||||||||||
| Height | 6 ft 3 in (191 cm) | ||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||
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Novak was born in Kineton, Warwickshire, the son of a Czechoslovakian soldier stationed in the area. The family later settled in Eastbourne and he attended Eastbourne Grammar, breaking into the Sussex county side at age 19.[2]
A strongly built winger, Novak switched to Surrey after moving to London to study dentistry and played club rugby for local team Harlequins.[2] It was from Harlequins that he was called into the England side and he was capped three times during the 1970 Five Nations Championship.[3] He scored a try on debut against Wales at Twickenham Stadium.[4]
References
- Rechcigl Jr., Miloslav (10 November 2016). Encyclopedia of Bohemian and Czech-American Biography (3 ed.). ISBN 9781524619909.
- Cherry, Rupert (12 March 1970). "Powerful Novak set for long England career". The Daily Telegraph.
- "Strength is What Count in Rugby". The Guardian Journal. 21 March 1970.
- "Novak has a dream debut for England". Evening Post. 28 February 1970.