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Will Carling OBE | Rugby

Will Carling OBE made his debut for England Schools in a 16-0 victory over Ireland. He narrowly missed out on a junior Grand Slam, with an England Schools side that included the likes of Kevin Simms and Andy Mullins. He was made captain of the rugby 1st XV in his final year at school.

Following the England’s senior team’s disappointing 1987 World Cup, the team entered a period of transition under a new manager and coach. They had struggled for years, losing most of their matches, but the introduction of league rugby created new opportunities for younger players – Will being one of those players, who made his Harlequins debut in 1987 before being called up to England in 1988.

Will’s leadership qualities ensured England comminated the Five Nations (now the Six Nations) in the first half of the 1990s, completing Grand Slams in 1990, 1991, and 1995, plus a further Championship in 1994 and 1996 with another Triple Crown in 1996. He led England to the World Cup final in 1991 and the semi-finals four years later.

As captain, England regularly challenged the world’s leading teams, including victories over Australia, New Zealand, an South Africa. In 1993, he became only the second England captain to lead his side to victories over all three Southern Hemisphere giants. At the 1995 World Cup, they reached the semi-final, failing to make the final. He subsequently resigned as captain but continued playing for England as an outside centre. He retired completely from rugby in January 1998.

Will Carling OBE | After Rugby

After retiring, he became a popular TV pundit on rugby union. He also founded WCM (Will Carling Management Ltd), a corporate hospitality company, and co-founded Buskholme in 2023. He also became a sought-after motivational sporting speaker.