Grassroots Rugby: A 40-Year Reunion to Celebrate a Legendary Lancashire Tour

For Talking Rugby Union, grassroots rugby has always been about more than just what happens on the pitch. It’s about friendships, memories, shared stories, and clubs that become part of the fabric of a community.

Few clubs embody that spirit better than Tarleton Rugby Club.

For more than 30 years, Tarleton Rugby Club has been an ever-present force in local rugby. From the old portacabin on the muddy fields at Tarleton High School to the opening of the club’s modern clubhouse on Carr Lane, the club has built a proud history. Whether it’s the famous Boxing Day Old Boys game, the much-loved Skofic Sevens, or simply watching the first team, second team, Colts, minis, and juniors, Tarleton has remained a heartbeat of grassroots rugby.

And over the years, if you dig through the archives, you’ll find plenty of great rugby stories connected to Tarleton.

Here’s another one and it’s guaranteed to warm the heart.

The 1986 Kangaroo Tour Reunion

Back in 1986, a group of talented young players earned the honour of pulling on the famous Red Rose as part of the Lancashire Rugby Football Union Under-18 squad.

Their destination? Australia.

Their mission? To take on the challenge of a lifetime on what became an unforgettable Kangaroo Tour.

Forty years on, it’s time to bring that squad back together.

As Ian Jackson, better known to many simply as Jacko, explained, plans are now well underway for a special reunion of that 1986 Lancashire Under-18 touring party.

Alongside his old teammate Honey, Jacko is organising a reunion on Saturday 17 October 2026, when Tarleton Rugby Club hosts Liverpool St Helens RFC.

Their message to former teammates says it all:

“Whether you’re still built like a back-row forward or now resemble the clubhouse landlord, we want to see you there.”

Jacko and Honey are determined to track down every player from that tour — no matter where life has taken them.

There’ll be no tackles.
No fitness tests.
And, thankfully, no tour fines.

Just one more team talk. One more gathering. One more chance to relive the stories, the laughs, and the camaraderie that only rugby can create.

If you were part of the 1986 Lancashire Under-18 Kangaroo Tour, Jacko and Honey would love to hear from you.

Because some teams never really stop being a team.

And after 40 years, this promises to be a reunion worthy of the memories.

That’s grassroots rugby at its very best.