With the Rugby World Cup 2015 hitting the headlines, we thought we’d remind you about some of the fantastic Rugby speakers that we work with. Back in October 2014 our newsletter featured Ben Kay, Gavin Hastings, Gareth Chilcott, Gareth Edwards and Sean Fitzpatrick. And in June 2014 we also spoke to rugby legend Sir Clive Woodward in an exclusive interview, where he discussed what it takes to be a winner. Gaby Logan and John Inverdale will of course be commentating tirelessly throughout the World Cup, whilst many rugby heroes will be available to appear as after dinner speakers and celebrity guests at rugby themed events. We have too many on our roster to mention them all, but below are featured just a few of our favourite rugby speakers. If you can’t see the person that you had in mind then do ring us with your requirements and give us a Try!
Martin Bayfield
Standing at a towering six foot ten inches tall, Martin had a distinguished career in rugby, including 34 caps for England and playing in the 1992 and 1995 Grand Slam sides. Since his retirement from the sport, Martin has moved seamlessly into broadcasting – commentating for a number of channels including, ITV, Channel Five, BT Sport and BBC Radio 5 Live. He also appeared in all of the Harry Potter films playing the half-giant Hagrid, as Robbie Coltrane’s body and stunt double. Martin is an incredibly impressive individual, not only in stature, but also for the illustrious career he has had both on the pitch and now on the stage and in front of the camera. An accomplished after dinner speaker and awards host, Martin is a great choice for both rugby and non-rugby themed events.
Nigel Owens
The world's best referee, Nigel has refereed multiple Heineken Cup finals and officiated World Cup matches, making him one of the most accomplished and influential authorities in the sport. Famed for comments like "This is not soccer", "If you don't like scrummaging, you're in the wrong position" and "The football stadium is 500 yards that way", he is capable of delivering the sharpest lines both on and off the pitch. Nigel delivers an entertaining insight into rugby and how to discipline giants of the sport, combining humour and anecdotal tales of his time as a referee. Owens has become one of the most recognisable faces in the rugby world and with a wealth of stories from his time on the international circuit he is a fabulous choice as an after dinner speaker for any event.
Shane Williams
Diminutive in stature, but huge in reputation, Shane Williams is one of Welsh sports’ all-time greats and one of the biggest names in world rugby. Having scored 60 tries in 91 Test matches for Wales and the British & Irish Lions, Shane is behind only Australian great David Campese (64 from 101 Tests) in the list of all-time international try scorers. Shane spent the final years of his career coaching and playing in Japan, before retiring from competitive rugby in 2015. He is now forging a new career as a pundit, covering the 6 Nations Championship for the BBC and the Rugby World Cup for ITV. An excellent anecdotal after dinner speaker who can provide insight into some of the most high profile games in the rugby calendar, Shane is a superb guest at any rugby night.
James Haskell
With the ability to play in all three positions across the back-row, James is one of rugby’s top players. His versatility has secured 58 full England caps and he still holds the record for being the most capped England player at U21 level. Currently playing for London Wasps and England, James is the only rugby player to have played in the top leagues in England, France, Japan and New Zealand. His time abroad means that James has a wealth of experiences to share; providing your guests with a unique insight into the game. Although a fierce competitor on the field, James also has a fun side; appearing au natural in no less than three famous Stade Francais Calenders, including being the front cover in 2009! Whether you are looking for a motivational team talk, a fascinating insight into the world of rugby or an amusing recollection of his experiences with some of the truly great characters of the game, James Haskell is your man.
Gareth Thomas
Former Wales and British and Irish Lions rugby skipper Gareth Thomas – Alfie to his friends – is ranked 12th among international try scorers and is the second highest Wales try scorer after Shane Williams. He hung up his rugby boots in 2011 and now devotes much of his time to leading Anti-Bullying campaign, Balls To Bullying. Off the field, Gareth’s personal life hit the headlines in 2009 when he famously revealed to the world that he was gay. Gareth is an ambassador for LGBT, a public supporter of ChildLine and has launched a new workplace Diversity Management Training Programme. In his frank and heartfelt after dinner speech, Gareth talks about success on the field and the hurdles he had to overcome. His is a story of extraordinary courage, both in and outside the sporting arena.