A memorial is to be erected in Ipswich to England rugby legend Prince
Alexander Obolensky.

The "flying prince", hailed as the Jonny Wilkinson of his day, scored a
famous try in England's first ever defeat of the New Zealand All Blacks, at
Twickenham in 1936. The memorial project is backed by leading figures in the
world of rugby.

Winger Obolensky, a Russian émigré who became a British citizen, scored two
tries in the victory, which is heralded as "Obo's match". It was his
international debut aged just 19. He later joined the RAF and died in his
Hurricane fighter in a crash at Martlesham Heath in 1940 during the Second
World War. He is buried in Ipswich Cemetery.

Obolensky's family of aristocrats fled Russia after the Revolution; his father
Prince Serge having been commander of the Tsar's Imperial Horse Guards
in St Petersburg.

The Times, in 2006, called Obolensky a "genius" and The Daily Telegraph's
distinguished sports writer, Donald Trelford, has voted his main 1936 score
"England's greatest ever try".

Obolensky was also named as one of the "most influential XV Ever", standing
alongside Martin Johnson, Will Carling and Jason Robinson.

The Prince Obolensky Memorial Project has received the backing of Francis
Baron, Chief Executive of the RFU Twickenham and Air Chief Marshal Sir Clive
Loader, President of RAF Rugby Union; and has been assisted by the Museum of
Rugby at Twickenham, where the winger's memorabilia is on show. A
hospitality suite there is named Obolensky's and he is featured in The Hall
of Fame.