- Jonah Lomu
Jonah Tali Lomu, MNZM (born May 12, 1975) is a New Zealand rugby union footballer who has played 73 times (63 caps) as an All Black after debuting in 1994. Lomu was born in Auckland, New Zealand of Tongan descent. He grew up in South Auckland and attended Wesley College, Pukekohe. He is generally regarded as the first true global superstar of rugby union, and one of the sport's most intimidating players on the pitch, and has had a huge impact on the game.
- Rory Underwood
Rory Underwood MBE (born June 19 1963 Middlesbrough, England) is a former English rugby union footballer who played wing for Leicester Tigers and Bedford, who represented England and the British Lions internationally, and a former Royal Air Force pilot. He was educated at Barnard Castle School and first laced up his rugby boots as a youngster at Middlesbrough Rugby Club - in a team that also included Rob Andrew and Bernie Coyne (captain at the time).
- Jonny Wilkinson
Jonathan Peter "Jonny" Wilkinson OBE (born 25 May 1979 in Frimley, Surrey) is an English rugby union player and member of the England rugby union team. From 2001-2003, before and during the 2003 Rugby World Cup, Wilkinson rose to fame for being one of the world’s best rugby players. He was an integral member of the 2003 Rugby World Cup winning England squad, scoring the winning drop goal in the last minute of extra time against Australia.
- Lawrence Dallaglio
Lorenzo Bruno Nero Dallaglio (born on August 10, 1972 in London) is an English rugby union player, the former captain of the English national team. He plays as a flanker or Number 8 for London Wasps, he has never played in another set of club colours, arriving at Sudbury as a teenager. He captained England before being forced to give up the captaincy with Martin Johnson taking over and has been capped in all three positions in the backrow. He has also written two books.
- Peter Stringer
Peter Alexander Stringer (born 13 December 1977) is an Irish rugby union footballer who plays at scrum half for Munster and Ireland. He is one of the most recognisable players in world rugby as Stringer is one of the smallest players at 5 ft 7 inches (170 cm) tall and weighing in at just over 70kgs (152lbs). In February 2000, he made his debut for Ireland against Scotland in the Six Nations Championship.
- Tony Brown
Tony Eion Brown (born January 17, 1975 in Balclutha, New Zealand) is a New Zealand rugby union footballer, playing mainly at first five-eighth (fly half). Brown early life was spent in the South Otago towns of Balclutha and Kaitangata, New Zealand, but he moved to Dunedin during his high school years, attending King's High School and playing for Harbour Rugby Club. He played his provincial rugby for Otago, and also represented the local Highlanders Super 12 rugby franchise, …
- Brian O'Driscoll
Brian Gerard O'Driscoll (born 21 January 1979) is an Irish professional rugby union player. He is the current captain of the Ireland national rugby union team, and was captain of the British and Irish Lions for their 2005 tour of New Zealand. After leading Ireland to the 2007 RBS Six Nations Triple Crown success, he was voted player of the tournament, exactly the same as 2006. Registered at Blackrock College RFC, he plays at outside for the Irish provincial team Leinster.
- Julian Huxley
Julian Huxley (born 3 August, 1979 in Sydney) is an Australian rugby union footballer. Playing for a Lindfield club in his youth, Huxley was educated at The King's School, Sydney and went on to play for the Wests club side. Huxley has previously appeared for the under-19, under-21 and 'A' Australia sides, he also played for the Australian sevens team at one point. Huxley made his Super 12 (now, Super 14) debut against the ACT Brumbies in 2003 for the Queensland Reds.
- Josh Lewsey
Owen Joshua Lewsey MBE (born 30 November 1976) is an English rugby union footballer who plays fullback, wing or centre for Wasps and England. Lewsey was born in Bromley in Kent and grew up in Watford in Hertfordshire, where he attended Watford Grammar School for Boys. He played for the Amersham and Chiltern Rugby Football Club. He joined Wasps at eighteen and played for their Colts side and was under-21 captain.
- Jason White
Jason Phillip Randall White (born 17 April 1978 in Edinburgh) is a Scottish rugby union footballer. He is a utility forward who can play any position in the second or back row of the scrum-lock, flanker, or Number 8. White plays at club level for Premiership-side Sale Sharks and is captain of the Scottish national team, and is renowned as one of the hardest hitting tacklers in international rugby.
- Ben Cohen
Ben Christopher Cohen MBE (born on the 14 September 1978 in Northampton) is a rugby union footballer who plays wing for Northampton Saints and England. Cohen is the 10th-highest point scorer in England Rugby History and second only to Rory Underwood in the list of all time England try scorers. Though his surname is typically Jewish, Cohen only has distant Jewish ancestry. “My family’s not Jewish,” he said in an interview on his official website, …
- 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.
- Clive Woodward
Sir Clive Ronald Woodward, OBE (born 6 January 1956 at Ely in Cambridgeshire) is a former English rugby union international who was the coach of the England rugby union team from 1997 to 2004. Woodward managed the England side to victory at the 2003 Rugby World Cup.
- 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
- Denis Dallan
Denis Dallan is an Italian rugby union footballer. His usual position is on the wing. He plays for French club Stade Français Paris. Dallan has also been capped for the national team, and was a part of their squad at the 2003 Rugby World Cup in Australia. Dallan was born in Belluno, Veneto. He debuted for Italy in 1999, and since then has earnt 40 caps for the national team.
- Christian Cullen
Christian Mathias Cullen (born February 12, 1976 in Paraparaumu) is a New Zealand rugby union footballer. He was arguably the best of the modern game.
- 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.
- Mike Catt
Michael John Catt MBE (born in 17 September 1971) is an English rugby union footballer who plays for London Irish, having previously played for Bath. Born in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, Catt's mother was English, and as a student he toured England. At the time, South Africa was banned from international competition because of the policy of apartheid.
- Aaron Mauger
Aaron Joseph Douglas Mauger is a rugby union footballer who plays at first five-eighths and second five-eighths for Canterbury (Air New Zealand Cup), the Crusaders (Super Rugby) and the New Zealand All Blacks. He will join the Leicester Tigers at the end of the 2007 Rugby World Cup after signing a 2½-year contract with the English side. Mauger captained the New Zealand Under-21 team to success in the International Under-21 Tournaments in 2000 and 2001.
- Byron Kelleher
Byron Terrance Kelleher (born 3 December 1976 in Dunedin, New Zealand) is a New Zealand rugby union halfback for the New Zealand All Blacks, with whom he has played over 37 tests. He went to Otago Boys' High School, and originally played for Otago in the NPC and the Highlanders in the Super 14, moving north in 2004 to play for Waikato and the Chiefs. He is 1.75m tall and weighs 95kg. He was New Zealand's Super 12 Player of the Year in 1999.
- Matt Dawson
Matthew James Sutherland "Daws" Dawson MBE (born 31 October 1972 in Birkenhead) is a now retired English rugby union footballer who played scrum half for Wasps having played most of his career for Northampton Saints. During his international career he toured with the British and Irish Lions three times and was part of England's 2003 Rugby World Cup winning side. He won 77 caps for his country in total, including nine as captain. He is England’s most capped scrum half.
- Daniel Carter
Daniel William Carter (born 5 March 1982 in Christchurch, New Zealand) is a New Zealand rugby union footballer. He has currently scored a total of 610 test points (20 tries, 111 conversions, 95 penalties, 1 drop goal) in 39 tests, at the outstanding average of 15.6 points a game. The All Blacks have only lost 4 games that Carter has featured in since his debut in June 2003. He currently plays first five-eighths, having originally played second five-eighth.
- Wayne Smith
Wayne Ross Smith (born 19 April 1957 in Putaruru, New Zealand) is a former rugby union footballer, and currently a rugby union coach. He is currently the backs coach for New Zealand's national rugby union team the All Blacks. He played provincial rugby for Canterbury and became an All Black in 1980. He played first five-eight, gaining 35 caps for the All Blacks, 17 of those Tests. His first major coaching position was for the Crusaders in the Super 12 in 1997.
- Chris Jack
Christopher Raymond Jack is a New Zealand rugby union player. He is 2.02 m tall and weighs 112 kg (6' 7½", 247 lb), and plays at lock for the Tasman Makos in the Air New Zealand Cup, the Crusaders in Super 14 (formerly Super 12), and internationally for the All Blacks. His test debut for the All Blacks was against Argentina on 23 June, 2001 in Christchurch. With his size and athleticism, he has since established himself as a regular in the All Blacks side, …
- Will Carling
William David Charles Carling OBE (born December 12 1965) is a former Rugby union player, and captain of England from 1988 to 1996, winning 72 caps. He is often known in rugby union circles as 'bum face', a reference to his cleft chin. He attended the Sedbergh school in Winder House, on an art scholarship and later graduated with a degree in Psychology from Durham University's Hatfield College. He played for Harlequins as a centre but was more committed to his England side.
- Richie McCaw
Richard Hugh "Richie" McCaw (born December 31 1980 in Oamaru) is a New Zealand rugby union player. He is the current captain of the All Blacks, playing as openside flanker. McCaw plays for Canterbury in the Air New Zealand Cup (formerly the National Provincial Championship, or NPC) and the Crusaders in Super Rugby. Richie is 6'1, and weighs 233 pounds.
- Phil Vickery
Philip John Vickery MBE (born 14 March 1976) is an English rugby union footballer who plays prop for Wasps and England, and was part of the England side that won the 2003 Rugby World Cup. He is currently England captain having taken over from Martin Corry The son of a farmer, Vickery was born in Barnstaple, Devon. Working on his father's cattle farm, he developed strength and became qualified as an artificial inseminator.
- Al Baxter
Al Baxter (born January 21, 1977) is an Australian rugby union player and is one of the current Wallaby s. He has been a fixture of the team since the 2003 Rugby World Cup and also plays for the Waratahs in the Super 14. His Wallaby debut was against the All Blacks during the 2003 Bledisloe Cup. He was educated at Sydney Church of England Grammar School in North Sydney.
- John Taylor
John Taylor (born July 21, 1946 in Watford, Hertfordshire) was a Welsh rugby union player. Nicknamed "Basil Brush" thanks to his wild hair and beard, he played as a flanker for the London Welsh RFC (of which he is now a board member), and represented Wales 26 times between 1967 and 1973. Perhaps his most famous moment was in the Five Nations match against Scotland in 1971. The match had see-sawed backwards and forwards with each team taking the lead several times.
- Brian Ashton
W. Brian Ashton (born 3 September 1946 in Leigh, Lancashire) is the current England national rugby union team's Head Coach, appointed 20 December 2006. He played as a. He never represented England - the closest he came was as an unused bench replacement on 15 March 1975 against Scotland. Brian Ashton is widely recognized as one of the finest backs coaches in world rugby.
- Bernard Laporte
Bernard Laporte is the current head coach of the France national rugby union team, taking over in 1999. He was previously the coach at Stade Français. He was the first fully professional head coach of France. He played rugby union at scrum-half and won the French Under-21 championship with UA Gaillac in 1983 and then again in 1984, in which he was captain. Seven years later he captained Begles-Bordeaux to the French championship.
- Jerry Collins
Jerry Collins (born 4 November 1980 in Apia, Samoa) is a New Zealand rugby union footballer and currently plays for the national team, the All Blacks. He has been capped 43 times for his country. Collins has been a stalwart at blind-side flanker for the All Blacks, since 2004. He can also cover No. 8 and openside flanker positions. He is regarded as one of the best players in his position in world rugby.
- George Gregan
George Musarurwa Gregan AM (born 19 April 1973 in Lusaka, Zambia) is an Australian rugby union scrum-half who has made more appearances for his national team than any other player in the sport's history. He has captained the team to many victories and he is respected throughout the rugby world for his tenacity, tactical skill, leadership ability, and sportsmanship. Gregan has played Super 12 (now Super 14) for the Brumbies since the inception of that competition in 1996, …
- Doug Howlett
Douglas Charles Howlett is a professional New Zealand rugby union player. He is primarily a Wing but he has also covered Fullback at national and international levels. Born September 21 1978 in Auckland, Howlett started playing rugby at Auckland Grammar School, where he was also a star sprinter, captain of athletics and, during his final year in 1996, head prefect. He calls upon his speed as a sprinter to great effect in his rugby career.
- Tana Umaga
Jonathan Falefasa "Tana" Umaga, ONZM, (born May 27 1973 in Lower Hutt, New Zealand) is a New Zealand rugby union footballer and former captain of the national team, the All Blacks. He has played for the Hurricanes since the Super 12's inception in 1996 and took over the captaincy in 2003.
- Alexander Obolensky
Prince Alexander Sergeevich "Obo" Obolensky (Russian: Александр Сергеевич Оболенский), (February 17 1916 - 29 March 1940) was a Russian prince and an international rugby union footballer who played for England. He was popularly known as just "The Prince" by many sports fans.
- Aleki Lutui
Aleki Lutui (born 1 July, 1978) is a Tongan rugby union footballer. He currently plays for the Chiefs in the international Super 14 competition, as well as the Bay of Plenty in the Air New Zealand Cup. In addition he has appeared numerous times for his national team Tonga. His usual position is at hooker. He made his debut for Tonga in March of 1999 in a match against Georgia.
- 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.
- Andrew Mehrtens
Andrew Philip Mehrtens MNZM (born 28 April 1973 in Durban, South Africa) is a New Zealand rugby union footballer who has been one of the top fly-halves (or first five-eighths) in the world since the advent of the sport's professional era in the mid-1990s. He recently played in England for Harlequins for two seasons, where in his first season he played a major factor in leading the freshly relegated club to an immediate return to the top-level Guinness Premiership.
- Mike Tindall
Michael James Tindall, MBE (born October 18, 1978 in Otley) is a rugby union footballer who plays Outside centre for Gloucester and England. He transferred from Bath in the summer of 2005. Tindall was educated at the Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Wakefield. After the retirement of England centre Jeremy Guscott and Phil de Glanville after the 1999 Rugby World Cup, Tindall stepped up to become a regular fixture, …