Jason Leonard

The Fun Bus, England's most capped prop, and a World Cup winner of unshakeable good humour

Rugby

The story

Jason Leonard played 114 times for England in an era when the front row of a scrum was a genuinely dangerous place to earn a living. He emerged from every one of them smiling.

A Barking-born prop who started at Saracens and went on to make his name at Harlequins, Leonard became the cornerstone of an England front row for more than a decade. He scrummaged on both sides of the scrum, an unusual versatility at Test level, and was part of the great Grand Slam sides of the early nineties. He won the Rugby World Cup with England in 2003, coming off the bench in the Sydney final, and toured with the Lions three times.

He was christened the Fun Bus by teammates for his size, his appetite for the social side of the game, and his willingness to lead the singing long after the whistle. Behind the nickname was one of the most professional front rowers in the world. Coaches knew exactly what they were getting: rocks in the scrum, miles in the loose, and a dressing room always in good voice.

Since retiring he has served as President of the RFU, raised large sums for charity through the Atlas Foundation which he co-founded, and become one of the most in demand speakers on the corporate circuit. He is an OBE and one of rugby's genuine ambassadors.

At Steam Wine Bar, Leonard brings World Cup stories, Lions tours, dressing room legends, and a reminder that rugby's finest traditions live just as happily at the bar as on the pitch.

Career highlights

  • 114 England caps, the most by any English player at retirement
  • Rugby World Cup winner, 2003
  • Five Grand Slam titles with England
  • Three British and Irish Lions tours
  • President of the Rugby Football Union, 2015 to 2016
  • Co-founder of the Atlas Foundation charity
  • Appointed OBE for services to rugby

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