Celebrities Who Played Rugby XV: James Bond, Presidents and WWE Superstars

Top 10s/Lists

by Steven Smith

Thursday, 06 December 2018 at 11:05

bySteven Smith

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**15 celebrities you didn't know were former rugby players...**

Fullback: Gareth Bale

Although more known for his achievements in football, Gareth Bale was actually a keen rugby player in his school days and has even played alongside future Wales rugby captain Sam Warburton.

Winger: Prince Harry

As an avid fan and patron of England’s Rugby Football Union (RFU), Prince Harry still loves the sport quite a bit and advocates it as a great discipline for youths to develop valuable social skills such as teamwork and respect for others.

Prince Harry enjoys a game of touch Rugby with young children at the Inspire Suffolk centre for young people in Ipswich, Suffolk.[/caption]

Centre: Gethin Jones

The television presenter captained the Manchester University 1st XV to the final of the BUSA Championships for the first time in their history, represented Lancashire and had trials with Sale RFC. Also played for Clwb Rygbi Cymry Caerdydd.

Centre: Russel Crowe

A supporter of the New Zealand All Blacks, Gladiator star Russel Crowe once played in the South Sydney Rabbitohs youth side. After his success in the acting world, he eventually bought the team that he debuted for as a child, saving them from financial difficulties and seeing them through to their first National Rugby League premiership win in 43 years.

Winger: Aaron Ramsey

The Arsenal and Wales midfielder was another keen rugby player before turning to football. Played as a wing for Caerphilly RFC youth development programme, where he was approached by scouts from St Helens after playing in a youth match against them but had already been signed by Cardiff City’s football academy.

Fly-half: Daniel Craig

Obviously, the best training for playing James Freaking Bond would be rugby, and so it was for Hoylake RFC’s most famous Old Boy. It also goes a long way towards explaining why Craig’s face looks like it’s absorbed a punch or two in its time.

Scrum-half: Ryan Giggs

The Manchester United legend grew up watching his father, Danny Wilson, play rugby union and in the Wales international rugby league. Although a big fan of playing and supporting the game in his younger days, Ryan Giggs had to stop playing rugby at the age of 14 to concentrate on football.

Prop: Bill Clinton

Developing an interest in the sport during his time at Oxford University, the former President of The United States had no knowledge on how to play the game when he was thrown on the pitch. He eventually got the hang of it and played prop for the university side.

Hooker: Gordon Brown

Was playing for Kirkcaldy High School in Fife at age 16 when he received a boot to the head that tore and detached his retina in his left eye. This injury nearly blinded him in that eye, but didn’t stop him from earning a Ph.D. in history from the University of Edinburgh or taking over the PM slot from Tony Blair.

Prop: Boris Johnson

The charismatic Mayor of London played rugby in his Old Etonian School days and has since formed an unlikely bond with Wales prop Adam Jones who the Mayor of London describes as his favourite player.

Lock: Henry Cavill

Lock: Prince William

Flanker: J.R.R. Tolkien

According to a National Public Radio story, the Lord Of The Rings author played at Oxford while at school.

Flanker: Benedict Cumberbatch

Number 8: Andre the Giant

I’m throwing this one in because the prospect of playing against him – even as a very large boy – is, frankly, terrifying. He played as a teenager in Grenoble until he took up wrestling. He was already six and a half feet tall when he started. I also feel compelled to mention that he was friends with Samuel Beckett as a boy.