“28 pints on a weekend” – Jason Leonard has ranked rugby’s five biggest drinkers

Leonard once admitted to sinking 28 pints of lager in a single sitting. When a stunned nutritionist asked how he possibly managed 28 pints a week, the prop gave a classic front-rower’s shrug.

The switch from amateur pints to professional conditioning hit plenty of players hard, but Leonard adjusted better than most. He finished with a then-world-record 119 Test caps (114 for England, five for the Lions). The drinking didn’t stop completely — just slowed down a touch.

Now, the World Cup winner has revealed the top five drinkers (minus himself) from his legendary career.

The Scotland fullback is widely regarded as one of the nation’s all-time greats, winning 61 caps, including 20 as captain. Hastings starred for Watsonians, London Scottish, Cambridge University, Scotland and the Lions — touring Australia in 1989 and captaining the 1993 tour to New Zealand.

Did you know?
In 1996, Hastings switched codes to join the Scottish Claymores in NFL Europe.

The giant Canadian lock played professionally for Wasps and Bedford Blues, winning 15 caps and helping Canada into the 1991 Rugby World Cup quarter-finals.

Did you know?
Hadley once made headlines for taking down two hooligans on the London Underground while travelling to training.

Nicknamed “Car Crash”, Gibbs starred for Wales and the Lions in union — and Wales and Great Britain in league.

A powerhouse centre, he was Player of the Series on the 1997 Lions tour and scored one of the most iconic tries in history against England in the final Five Nations match in 1999.

Did you know?
Gibbs now coaches the Muscat Pirates in Oman.

Standing 6ft 8in, the England lock embodied his nickname: “The Blackpool Tower.” A police officer off the pitch, Dooley won 55 caps after debuting in 1985 and became one of the most intimidating enforcers of his era.

Did you know?
Dooley and his wife run a tea room — Dizzy Ducks — in Wrea Green.

Top of Leonard’s list is Leicester Tigers legend Dean Richards. The number eight played 314 games for Leicester, lifting league titles in 1988 and 1995 plus two Pilkington Cups. He earned 48 caps for England, starring at three Rugby World Cups and touring twice with the Lions (1989 & 1993).

Did you know?
Before professionalism, Richards served as a police constable with Leicestershire Constabulary.