Marcel Bescos (

Oloron-Sainte-Marie Oloron-Sainte-Marie (; ; ) is a commune in the southwestern French department of Pyrénées-Atlantiques. History The town was founded by the Romans in the 1st century, then known as ''Illoronensium''. Situated on the Roman way between the ...

, 28 June 1937-

Castres Castres (; ''Castras'' in the Languedocian dialect, Languedocian dialect of Occitan language, Occitan) is the sole Subprefectures in France, subprefecture of the Tarn (department), Tarn Departments of France, department in the Occitania (adminis ...

, 17 July 2013) is a former

French French may refer to: * Something of, from, or related to France ** French language, which originated in France ** French people, a nation and ethnic group ** French cuisine, cooking traditions and practices Arts and media * The French (band), ...

rugby league player who played as prop. He was French Champion with Albi in 1962, as well as captain of the French national team.

Career

Having an impressive physique, 102 kg, Marcel Bescos essentially played most of his career for

Albi Albi (; ) is a commune in France, commune in southern France. It is the prefecture of the Tarn (department), Tarn Departments of France, department, on the river Tarn (river), Tarn, 85 km northeast of Toulouse. Its inhabitants are called ...

before joining

Limoux Limoux (; ) is a commune and subprefecture in the Aude department, a part of the ancient Languedoc province and the present-day Occitanie region in southern France. Its vineyards are famous for being first to produce sparkling wine known ...

at the end of his career. He formed an impressive first row alongside André Vadon and Honoré Conti, he became French Champion for Albi in 1962. When playing for

France France, officially the French Republic, is a country located primarily in Western Europe. Overseas France, Its overseas regions and territories include French Guiana in South America, Saint Pierre and Miquelon in the Atlantic Ocean#North Atlan ...

, he also made great sporting performances. When he became captain of the national team, he was part of the French squad which put

Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country comprising mainland Australia, the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania and list of islands of Australia, numerous smaller isl ...

in check in January 1960 for a match which ended on a 8–8 tie, after the match,

Johnny Raper John William Raper (12 April 1939 – 9 February 2022) was an Australian professional rugby league footballer and coach. Nicknamed "Chook", he was a lock-forward who earned a then-record of 33 Test caps in the Australia national team between ...

and

Reg Gasnier Reginald William "Reg" Gasnier (12 May 1939 – 11 May 2014) was an Australian rugby league footballer and coach. He played for the St. George Dragons from 1959 to 1967 and represented Australia in a then record 36 Tests and three World Cup g ...

admitted that they never met such a strong, fast and technical prop. With Bescos, the French team won against

Great Britain Great Britain is an island in the North Atlantic Ocean off the north-west coast of continental Europe, consisting of the countries England, Scotland, and Wales. With an area of , it is the largest of the British Isles, the List of European ...

six times. After his sporting career, he became an antiquarian and a salesman at Établissements Mauriès. He died of

pulmonary embolism Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a blockage of an pulmonary artery, artery in the lungs by a substance that has moved from elsewhere in the body through the bloodstream (embolism). Symptoms of a PE may include dyspnea, shortness of breath, chest pain ...

on 17 July 2013.

Personal life

Outside his playing career, he worked as a fishmonger.

Honours

French Rugby League Championship The French rugby league championship () was the top tier of the French rugby league system from its inception in 1934 until 2002 when the league was split into two divisions; the Elite One Championship and Elite Two Championship. In all season ...

**Winner in 1962 (Albi) **Runner-up in 1960 (Albi)

Notes

External links

Marcel Bescos profile
at rugbyleagueproject.org 1937 births 2013 deaths Deaths from pulmonary embolism France national rugby league team players French rugby league players Limoux Grizzlies players Sportspeople from Oloron-Sainte-Marie Racing Club Albi XIII players Rugby league players from Nouvelle-Aquitaine Rugby league props {{France-rugbyleague-bio-stub