International Career
Andy Gregory made his debut as a substitute in Great Britain's 7-8 loss to France in the friendly at Stadio Pierluigi Penzo, Venice on Saturday 31 July 1982. Gregory went on to win 26 Great Britain caps.
Andy considers the dead rubber third test of the 1988 Ashes series against Australia to be the highlight of his test career. He was named Man of the Match as the British Lions overcame Australia 26-12 at the Sydney Football Stadium. Gregory set up flying winger Martin Offiah for the first try, and fullback Phil Ford for the second. In the second half, it was Gregory again who chipped the ball for Henderson Gill to outpace Australian fullback Garry Jack score. Andy also contributed to the final try as he ran from dummy half escaped his markers and found Mike Gregory for a final 70 metre try under the posts. It was Great Britain's first win against Australia since the 18-14 victory during the second Ashes test of Australia's 1978 Kangaroo Tour, played at the Odsal Stadium in Bradford
His peers also recognised Andy Gregory's talent. When former Australian captain Wally Lewis was asked which English player caused him and his team most problems, he replied "A certain little halfback! That little bastard! I admired Andy Gregory as much, if not more, than any other player because of the creativity that he boasted and the determination to cause defeat for Australia. He was also one of the toughest players that I ever played against."
Despite previously announcing his retirement from international rugby league, he received a call to go on the 1992 Great Britain Lions tour of Australasia, where he earned his 26th, and final, test cap in the 22-6 loss to the Mal Meninga led Aussies in the first test of the series. He regretted the decision, as he left the tour injured as he had not recovered from a leg strain that he received at the end of Wigan's season, and it was this injury that prompted the club's desire to sell him.
Gregory is the only player to play in six Ashes series against Australia, playing in the 1982, 1986 and 1990 series played in England, and the 1984, 1988 and 1992 series played in Australia.
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