Fans are only just realising Gregg Wallace played for Premiership rugby club

Wednesday, 30 April 2025 at 13:59

byRugby Rucker

TV favourite Gregg Wallace has broken his silence after misconduct allegations hit headlines late last year—but it’s his unlikely rugby past that’s now got fans talking.

Competition: Get a Chance to Watch the Lions in Australia

In a story that’s as surprising as a raw scallop on

Masterchef, Wales Online uncovered Wallace’s secret sporting passion—and it turns out the foodie has quite the backline-to-front-row journey in rugby union.

Schoolboy Speedster Turned Front Row Fave

Before he was dishing out critiques in the Masterchef kitchen, Wallace was dishing out passes across the backline during his school days. But it wasn’t until he hit his 30s that rugby came storming back into his life.

A chance encounter with an old mate saw him lace up his boots once again, this time for Eton Manor RFC. Gone were the days of flying down the wing—Wallace was now scrumming down at hooker.

“I started playing rugby again at the age of 30, at Eton Manor,” Wallace told Rugby World
. “I wasn’t good enough to break into the first team, and this time I played hooker. Which I really, really enjoyed.”

From London Welsh Occies to Sideline Strategist

Gregg’s rugby journey didn’t end there. He went on to feature for London Welsh Occies—the veterans’ side of the once-famous Premiership club—while his son Tom got stuck in with the minis.

By then, Wallace was pushing 40 and coaching the next generation of ruggers. He even picked up two coaching badges, adding “mini-rugby mentor” to his CV alongside TV presenter and pudding connoisseur.

Wasps Fan With a Big Heart—and a Bigger Hope

A long-time Wasps supporter, Wallace regularly attended matches home and away with his eldest son—right up until the club’s financial collapse in 2022. But the 60-year-old hasn’t given up hope.

With the club expected to make a dramatic return in the coming years—rumoured to be with a new home in Kent—Wallace is already looking forward to backing his beloved Wasps once more.

“We go to watch Wasps, home or away, and we watch England, home or away. That’s what we do together,” he said.

Jim Telfer names 12 England stars in Lions squad – Marcus Smith misses out

The former Lions coach, who famously delivered the spine-tingling ‘Everest’ speech on the 1997 tour, opted for three players per position in a balanced selection for Scottish Rugby News.

And while some inclusions were expected, Telfer hasn’t been afraid to raise eyebrows, especially with some bold calls in the backline.

Genge leads the English charge up front

Ellis Genge is a nailed-on pick at loosehead, joining Ireland’s Andrew Porter and Scotland’s Rory Sutherland.

Despite fitness concerns, Luke Cowan-Dickie is also included at hooker. There’s no England tighthead in the squad — a rare omission.

In the second row, Maro Itoje and Ollie Chessum are both in, underlining their continued importance at international level.

Back-row packed with English muscle

Telfer has gone heavy on Englishmen in the back-row — naming Ben Earl and Tom Curry at blindside, with Ben Curry making the cut at openside alongside Josh van der Flier and Jac Morgan.

There’s no room for Zach Mercer, Sam Underhill, or Alex Dombrandt, despite all being part of the England conversation at various points.

Surprise call-ups out wide

Perhaps the biggest surprise is the selection of Tommy Freeman and Tom Roebuck on the wing, with both making huge impressions in the Premiership this season.

They’re joined by Fin Smith at fly-half and George Furbank, who has quietly impressed, as one of three full-back options.

Alex Mitchell is the sole English scrum-half picked, with no room for Danny Care or Harry Randall.

No Farrell, Marcus, or Steward

Shockingly, there’s no Owen Farrell, Marcus Smith, or Freddie Steward — three players who’ve carried the England backline for much of the last few years.

“Any selections should be based on the quality of the player,” Telfer told Scotland Rugby News.
“Not the name on the jersey. Some will disagree – but this squad can win in Australia.”

Full: Jim Telfer’s 45-man British & Irish Lions squad

Props
Loosehead: Ellis Genge (ENG), Andrew Porter (IRE), Rory Sutherland (SCO)
Tighthead: Tadhg Furlong (IRE), Finlay Bealham (IRE), Zander Fagerson (SCO)

Hookers
Luke Cowan-Dickie (ENG), Dan Sheehan (IRE), Dewi Lake (WAL)

Locks
Maro Itoje (ENG), Ollie Chessum (ENG), Joe McCarthy (IRE), Tadhg Beirne (IRE), Dafydd Jenkins (WAL), Scott Cummings (SCO)

Back Row
Blindside: Tom Curry (ENG), Ben Earl (ENG), Jamie Ritchie (SCO)
Openside: Josh van der Flier (IRE), Ben Curry (ENG), Jac Morgan (WAL)
Number 8: Caelan Doris (IRE), Jack Conan (IRE), Taulupe Faletau (WAL)

Scrum-halves
Jamison Gibson-Park (IRE), Alex Mitchell (ENG), Tomos Williams (WAL)

Fly-halves
Finn Russell (SCO), Fin Smith (ENG), Sam Prendergast (IRE)

Centres
Inside Centre: Bundee Aki (IRE), Sione Tuipulotu (SCO), Ben Thomas (WAL)
Outside Centre: Garry Ringrose (IRE), Huw Jones (SCO), Robbie Henshaw (IRE)

Wingers
Right Wing: Tommy Freeman (ENG), Darcy Graham (SCO), Tom Roebuck (ENG)
Left Wing: James Lowe (IRE), Duhan van der Merwe (SCO), Kyle Steyn (SCO)

Full-backs
Hugo Keenan (IRE), Blair Kinghorn (SCO), George Furbank (ENG)

QUIZ: Can you name the 2013 British & Irish Lions squad?

12 years have passed since Warren Gatland’s men roared to a famous series win over Australia, but how well do you really remember the iconic 2013 British & Irish Lions squad?

From legendary leaders to surprise selections, we’ve lined up every player from that unforgettable tour. All you have to do is name them. No pressure, right?

Take the quiz below and prove your rugby brain still bites.

? Scroll down and get cracking – how many can you get without cheating?

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