- Tony O'Reilly
Sir Anthony "Tony" O'Reilly (born 7 May 1936) is a Dublin born billionaire who holds both British and Irish nationality. He is best known through his chairmanship of the Dublin-based Independent News & Media Group (INM) and as former CEO of the H.J. Heinz Company, but was also previously an international rugby union player.
- Keith Wood
Keith Wood (born 27 January 1972 in Killaloe) is a former international rugby union footballer who played hooker for Ireland, the Lions, Garryowen, Harlequins and Munster. He was nicknamed 'The Raging Potato' because of his bald head. He was also known as 'Uncle Fester' due to his resemblance to a character in "The Addams Family". His father, Gordon Wood, played prop 29 times for Ireland. He now works for the BBC.
- John Eales
John Eales AM is a former Australian rugby union footballer and arguably the most successful captain in the history of Australian Rugby. His 52-cap reign as captain marked an era of Australian success in world rugby. Eales played a major part in Australia’s victories at the Rugby World Cup twice in his illustrious career, first in 1991, and later skippering his country to victory in 1999 Eales played for Queensland Reds and Australia.
- Bill McLaren
Bill McLaren (born 1923) was a Scottish rugby union commentator renowned the world over until his retirement in 2002.
- Phil Bennett
Phil Bennett (born October 24, 1948) was a Welsh Rugby Union fly half from 1969 to 1978. His flair and range of tricks, including his famous sidestep and swerve, meant he was a firm favourite with crowds. Born in Felinfoel, Wales, Bennett made his debut on the 22nd March 1969 against France in Paris at the age of 20 when he became the 1st ever substitute in International Rugby. Initially, Phil played in a number of positions including fullback and centre, …
- Colin Meads
Colin Earl Meads, DCNZM, MBE (born June 3, 1936 in Cambridge, New Zealand) nicknamed "Pinetree", is a former New Zealand rugby union footballer who played 133 times (55 of these were test matches) as an All Black from 1957 until 1971. His role in New Zealand rugby has been nothing short of iconic, and he was named Player of the Century at the NZRFU Awards dinner in 1999. He captained the All Blacks several times, mostly as a lock forward.
- Martin Johnson
Martin Osborne Johnson CBE (born March 9, 1970) is a former England rugby union player and captain. Johnson, who has been called 'arguably England's greatest ever player' was known for his strong leadership and "no-nonsense" approach to the game. Johnson led the England side to a Grand Slam and World Cup in 2003. He toured three times with the British Lions, becoming the only man to have captained them on two separate tours.
- Andy Irvine
Andy Irvine (born September 16 1951) is now (2006) President of the Scottish Rugby Union (SRU), and a former Scottish international rugby player.
- Willie John McBride
William James McBride, MBE, better known as Willie John McBride (born June 6 1940, Toomebridge, County Antrim) is a former rugby union player who played for Ireland and the British Lions. He played 62 Tests for Ireland including eleven as captain, and toured with the Lions five times - a record that gave him 17 Lions Test caps.
- Michael Lynagh
Michael Lynagh (born October 25, 1963) is an Australian rugby union footballer. He is a fly-half. Michael Lynagh represented Australia from 1984 to 1995, playing at both inside centre and fly half. Lynagh was capped 72 times for Australia, and was captain from 1993 to 1995. He was the world points scoring record holder when he retired, with 911 points. Michael was a member of the 1984 Grand Slam winning team and was vice-captain when Australia won the 1991 Rugby World Cup.
- Gerald Davies
Thomas Gerald Reames Davies CBE (born 7 February, 1945 in Llansaint) is one of the acknowledged giants of Welsh rugby, playing for the side between 1966 and 1978. Davies studied at Loughborough University and the University of Cambridge and played club rugby for Cardiff RFC and London Welsh. He captained Cardiff for three seasons in the 1970s, …
- Gareth Edwards
Gareth Owen Edwards CBE (born 12 July 1947 in Pontardawe, Wales) is a former Welsh rugby union footballer who played scrum-half, considered by many to be the greatest player in the history of the game. In the 2007 New Years Honours List, Edwards was made a CBE for services to sport
- J. P. R. Williams
John Peter Rhys Williams (born 2 March 1949 in Cardiff, Wales), known universally as JPR Williams, played rugby union for Wales between 1969 and 1981. Williams was also a tennis player. There is a popular urban myth that he won Junior Wimbledon in 1966 (in fact won by a Soviet, Korotkov). However, it is true that he won a British Junior competition that happened to be held at Wimbledon that year, beating David Lloyd.
- Serge Blanco
Serge Blanco (born 31 August 1958 in Caracas, Venezuela) is a former rugby union footballer who played for Biarritz Olympique and France, gaining 93 caps, 81 at fullback. His alternative position was. He was born in the Venezuelan capital Caracas but brought up in France. He famously smoked 60 cigarettes a day throughout his career. Blanco made his French debut against South Africa at Newlands in 8 November 1980. The French lost 37-15.
- Grant Fox
Grant James Fox (born 6 June 1962 in New Plymouth) is former rugby union player from New Zealand. He attended Auckland Grammar school. During his time with the All Blacks from 1985 to 1993 he wore the number 10 jersey (or), and was the main goal kicker for the All Blacks. He is considered a true pioneer of the modern art of goal kicking in particular the technicalities of leaning the ball forward which has been adopted by all world class kickers since.
- Gavin Hastings
Andrew Gavin Hastings, OBE (born January 3, 1962 in Edinburgh) of Watsonians, Cambridge University Rugby Football Club, the Scotland national rugby union team and the British and Irish Lions was one of the outstanding rugby players of his generation, winning 61 caps for Scotland, 20 of which as captain. He played, and captained the Lions on the tour to New Zealand in 1993 (after playing in all three tests in the 1989 tour to Australia.
- Barry John
Barry John (born 6 January 1945 in Cefneithin, Wales) is a former Welsh rugby union footballer. He is considered by many to be the greatest fly-half in the sport's history, and became known as "the King". John was educated at the Gwendraeth Grammar school in the Gwendraeth Valley, North of Llanelli. He played his first international against Australia, on 3rd December 1966. He replaced David Watkins who went north to rugby league when a student at Trinity College, …
- Gordon Brown
Gordon Lamont Brown (1 November 1947 - 19 March 2001) was a Scottish international rugby union footballer. He was inducted into the International Rugby Hall of Fame in 2001. Born in Troon, "Broon frae Troon", as he was affectionately known, played for West of Scotland, Scotland and the British Lions.
- David Campese
David Ian Campese, also known as Campo, is an Australian former Rugby Union player. Campese is often considered one of the greatest wing in Rugby Union history. He also occasionally played fullback. Campese is uniquely great in sports - an often flawed player brave enough to attempt the most brilliant plays, while walking a thin line between success and failure. Campese was a constant risk taker and often a weak defender.
- Danie Craven
Daniël Hartman Craven, more famously known as Danie Craven or simply Doc Craven, is a former Western Province, Eastern Province, Northern Transvaal and Springbok rugby union player as well as arguably South Africa's best as well as best-known rugby administrator. He also coached the Springboks between 1949 and 1956, becoming one of the most successful Springbok coaches of all time. He was born in Lindley, Orange Free State province, …
- Jo Maso
Jo Maso (born 27 December 1944 in Perpignan, France) is a former rugby union and rugby league footballer who played for Narbonne, Toulonnais, Perpignan and France, gaining 25 caps. His alternative position was. He is now the manager for the French national team and was inducted into the International Rugby Hall of Fame in 2003. Maso started his rugby career as a rugby league player for XIII Catalan, being the son of the French rugby league internationalist Jep Maso.
- Bill Beaumont
William "Bill" Blackledge Beaumont (born 9 March 1952, Chorley, Lancashire) was captain of the England rugby union team at a time when they struggled to win games. His greatest moment as captain was the unexpected 1980 Grand Slam. He played as a lock. He won 34 caps for England, then a record for a lock, and was captain 21 times. He made his international debut as a 22-year-old in Dublin in 1975 as a late replacement for Roger Uttley.
- Brian Lochore
Sir Brian James Lochore, ONZ, KNZM, OBE (born 3 September 1940 in Masterton, New Zealand) is a former New Zealand rugby union footballer who played 68 matches (25 Tests) for the All Blacks between 1963 and 1971. He played at number 8 and lock, as well as captaining the side 46 times (18 of those tests). In 1999, Lochore was inducted into the International Rugby Hall of Fame. Sir Brian played senior rugby for the Masterton club and representative rugby for Wairarapa-Bush, …
- Sean Fitzpatrick
Sean Brian Thomas Fitzpatrick (born 4 June 1963 in Auckland) is a New Zealand rugby union player, widely regarded as one of the finest players ever to come from that country.
- Mike Gibson
Cameron Michael Henderson ("Mike") Gibson MBE (born 3 December 1942 in Belfast, Northern Ireland) is a former Irish rugby union footballer. He first played for Ireland in 1964, and earned his 69th and final cap against Australia in 1979 at age 36. A versatile player, he represented his country at four different positions. Gibson had a distinguished international career, which ran for fifteen years and saw him line out a record 69 times for Ireland.
- Syd Millar
Dr. Syd Millar, CBE (born 23 May 1934 in Ballymena) is the chairman of the International Rugby Board. He previously played for Ballymena RFC and represented Ireland in the pack, winning 37 caps as a prop. In addition to this, he played 9 times for the British Lions. Millar also coached the successful 1974 British Lions tour to South Africa and managed the 1980 British Lions tour to South Africa.
- Ian Kirkpatrick
Ian Andrew Kirkpatrick (born 24 May 1946 in Gisborne) is a New Zealand rugby union player, who was captain of the All Blacks. Kirkpatrick began his first-class career in 1966 at the age of 20 playing for Poverty Bay. One year later in he moved to Canterbury and established himself in the local provincial team. Later that year, he made his international debut for the All Blacks against France in Paris.
- Nick Farr-Jones
Nicholas Campbell Farr-Jones (born 18 April 1962 in Caringbah, New South Wales) is a former Australian rugby union footballer. His position was scrum-half. He made his international debut for the Wallabies on 3rd November 1984 v England at Twickenham. He played in the inaugural Rugby World Cup in 1987 and a year later was named Australian captain. In 1991, he guided Australia to victory in 1991 Rugby World Cup. He was also instrumental in 1992 for the Wallabies, …
- Jean Prat
Jean Prat was French rugby union footballer. He was awarded the Légion d'honneur in 1959. He played over 50 times for France and is a member of the International Rugby Hall of Fame, being inducted in 2001. His younger brother also appeared for France. The pair appearing at international level on a number of occasions.
- Hennie Muller
Hendrik Scholtz Vosloo Muller (born 26 March, 1922 in Witbank), usually known as Hennie Muller is a former South African rugby union footballer. Muller is considered one of the greatest South African footballers, captaining the national side, the Springboks in nine tests, and is a member of the International Rugby Hall of Fame. His usual position was at number 8. Muller made his international debut for the Springboks on July 16, 1949, …
- Tim Horan
Tim Horan (born 18 May 1970) is a former Australian rugby union footballer. He played for the Queensland Reds in the Super 12, and represented Australia, he was one of the best centres in the world throughout the 1990s due to his attacking prowess, formidable defence and playmaking ability. He also played Fly-half and got one cap on the wing. His nickname was Helmet, for his stay-in-place hair, or Truckie, for his love of a "truckie's breakfast" of bacon, sausages and eggs.
- Michael Niko Jones
Michael Niko Jones (born April 8 1965 in Auckland, New Zealand), is a former rugby union player and current coach. He has been named as one of the world's greatest players of all-time by "The Times" and also the 3rd greatest All Black of all-time after Colin Meads and Sean Fitzpatrick. His was nicknamed the 'Iceman' because of the cool but confident manner in which he played.
- John Kirwan
John James Patrick Kirwan ONZM MBE (born 16 December 1964) is a New Zealand born rugby union footballer turned coach. Kirwan, who played as at wing, played 96 times (including 63 test matches) as an All Black from 1984 until 1994. He played rugby league for two seasons in the ARL (Australian Rugby League Premiership) for the Auckland Warriors before finishing his playing career with the NEC club in Japan.
- Philippe Sella
Philippe Sella (born 14 February 1962 in Tonneins) is a French former rugby union player, who until recently held the record for most international appearances in that sport. Philippe joined Saracens in 1996 from French side Agen. He and Australian Michael Lynagh were the catalysts for Saracens as they made the transition into the professional era, and Sella's presence helped other players make up their minds about joining the up-and-coming club.
- Hugo Porta
Hugo Porta (born 11 September 1951 in Buenos Aires) is a former Argentine rugby union footballer who played. He played 57 times for "Los Pumas", captaining them on 34 occasions, including leading them during their first World Cup in 1987. Porta made his international debut in 1971, and would score 529 points, consisting of 10 tries, 88 penalties, 78 conversions and 25 drop goals. His best performances came in the late 1970s and early 1980s, …
- Thomas Mervyn Davies
Thomas Mervyn Davies (born 1946 in Swansea), is a former Welsh rugby union player who won 38 rugby union caps for Wales as a No. 8. He attended Penlan Comprehensive School in Swansea. Davies joined London Welsh in 1968, later moving to Swansea. He won his first cap for Wales in 1969 against Scotland, going on to play 38 consecutive matches for Wales and scoring two tries. During this period Wales won two Grand Slams and three Triple Crowns.
- Jean-Pierre Rives
Jean-Pierre Rives (born 31 December 1952) is a French former rugby union player who won 59 caps for France as a flanker. After life in rugby Jean turned his attention to art and is currently an internationally renowned sculptor based in Paris. Born in Toulouse, Rives played club rugby for TOEC, Beaumont and Stade Toulousain, then in 1981 left Toulouse to join Racing Club de France. Nicknamed "Casque d'or" (French for "Golden helmet") due to his long blond hair.
- Wilson Whineray
Sir Wilson James Whineray, KNZM, OBE, (born 10 July 1935) is a former captain of the All Blacks, New Zealand's national rugby team. He played for the All Blacks between 1957 and 1965. He was the team's longest serving captain, and according to some, its greatest. After retiring from rugby, he gained a MBA from Harvard University and went on to hold a number of prominent positions in the business world, including chairman of the board of Carter Holt Harvey, …
- Don Clarke
Donald Barry Clarke (November 10, 1933-December 29, 2002) was a New Zealand rugby union player who played 89 times (31 of these were test matches) as an All Black from 1956 until 1964. He was best known for his phenomenal goal kicking ability that earned him the nickname "The Boot". Clarke was first selected to play rugby for the Waikato rugby team at the age of 17 in 1951. In 1956 he helped the Waikato side to a 14-10 victory over the touring South African Springbok side.
- Cliff Morgan
Cliff Morgan (born 7 April 1930 at Trebanog, Rhondda) is a former Welsh rugby union player who played for Cardiff RFC and earned 29 caps for Wales between 1951 and 1958. Morgan was from a mining family and joined Cardiff Rugby Club straight from school in 1949, playing at fly-half. Blessed with natural balance and strength, together with an astute line-kicking ability and searing acceleration, he quickly made an impact.