WARRIORS: Top 5 Famous Rugby Players Who Served in the Military

Top 10s/Lists

by Rugby Rucker

Saturday, 07 November 2020 at 18:03

byRugby Rucker

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Not only making their names on the rugby pitch, but some of the most famous players have also gone on to join the military at the peak of their careers, while others joined the army forces before their rugby careers got going and were then able to thankfully come home safely and start their careers.

Here are six of the most famous rugby who served the army.

5. Semesa Rokoduguni

Serving soldier in the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards
Position – Centre and wing
Clubs and Teams: British Army from 2011, Bath from 2012 with 194 caps
England – 2014 with 4 caps

Rokoduguni currently serves in the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards. Fijian-born, he is the most successful military player in men’s rugby today. Despite operational commitments and a demanding job, he plays for Bath and has attained International status, having made his England debut in 2014.

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4. Rob Wainwright

Major in the Royal Army Medical Corps – 1987 to1999
Position – Flanker, Number 8
Clubs / Teams: London Scottish F.C, Glasgow Warriors, West Hartlepool R.F.C, Army Rugby Union
Scotland – 1992-1998 with 37 caps
British Lions – 1997 with 1 cap

Wainwright managed to maintain a professional rugby career alongside his military life. Having been commissioned into the Royal Army Medical Corps as a doctor, he went on to achieve 37 caps for Scotland and also played for the British and Irish Lions.

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3. Tim Rodber

Former Captain in the Green Howards Infantry Regiment until 2001
Position – Flanker, Number 8
Clubs / Teams: Northampton with 235 caps
England – 1992-1999 with 44 caps
British and Irish Lions – 1997 with 2 caps

Rodber, a rugby union player (retired) played for the British and Irish Lions as well as for England, earning 44 caps. Throughout his professional rugby career, he served in the army as a Captain in the Green Howards Regiment.

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2. Josh Lewsey

Troop Commander in the Royal Artillery in 2001
Position – Fullback, wing and centre
Clubs / teams: Bristol 1997-1998, London Wasps – 1998-2009, St Agnes – 2011
England – 1998-2008 with 55 Caps
British and Irish Lions – 2005 with 3 Caps

Former World Cup winner, Lewsey passed out of Sandhurst in 2001 and joined the Royal Artillery. For two years he juggled his professional rugby life with his military career before resigning his commission. In 2009 Lewsey retired from international rugby.

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1. Will Carling

Former Officer in the Royal Regiment of Wales
Position – Centre
Clubs / Teams: Harlequins
England – 1988-1997 with 72 caps
British and Irish Lions

After attending a posh school on an army scholarship, Carling was commissioned into the Royal Regiment of Wales before resigning to concentrate on his professional rugby career. He was the youngest ever England Captain at the age of 22. He achieved 72 caps for England and represented the British and Irish Lions.

DID YOU KNOW? He was romantically linked by some members of the press with Diana, Princess of Wales, the then-wife of Prince Charles

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