"Pints all around" - 5 great pubs owned by rugby stars

The Stand-Off, which is owned by the Exeter legend, opened its doors after a major refurb in 2018. Steeno teamed up with Carl Rimmer, one of his former Exeter Chiefs playing colleagues, and recruited former Woodbury Park manager Joe Hammond to oversee the project.

After retiring from rugby union, former England and Harlequins back Ugo Monye decided to turn his hand to running a pub a stone’s throw from Twickenham Stadium.

The Bridge pub in Ballsbridge is part owned by several current and previous Irish rugby internationals, including Jamie Heaslip, Sean O’Brien, Dave and Rob Kearney. While you might not catch them behind the bar too much, the four are frequent visitors to their pub that they co-own with publican Noel Anderson.

The England and Exeter Chiefs winger is the co-owner of The Swordfish Inn back in his hometown of Cornwall. Sitting on the harbourfront, the pub has been a favourite of local fishermen, artists and visitors alike for as long as anyone cares to remember and is well-known for its rugged charm and atmosphere.

The former Wales star settled into his new life as the pub landlord of The Fox in St Brides Major in 2020. He explained the change had fallen into place well as his vision of running a pub had coincided with the end of him playing rugby. However, Henson couldn't stay off the pitch and is now playing rugby league for West Wales Raiders.