Mark Regan

World Cup winning England hooker and a front row speaker with a story for every scrum

Rugby

The story

Mark 'Ronnie' Regan is living proof that you do not need to be the first choice to end up with a World Cup winner's medal.

Born in Bristol in 1972, Regan played for Bristol, Bath and Leeds Tykes across a long club career, earning a reputation as one of the toughest and most competitive hookers in the northern hemisphere. He won his first England cap in 1995 against South Africa, becoming the first player to make his England debut in the professional era.

His international career then ran hot and cold for almost a decade before a late revival saw him called into Sir Clive Woodward's 2003 Rugby World Cup squad. He scored a try off the bench against Georgia, started the Samoa pool match and was part of the England squad that won the final 20 to 17 after extra time against Australia in Sydney. He finished with 46 England caps, toured with the British and Irish Lions in 1997, and was appointed MBE in the 2004 New Year Honours.

Only later did teammates discover that Regan had been hiding a significant degree of deafness throughout his career, a remarkable story of quiet determination that now forms part of his after dinner material. Warm, funny and refreshingly honest, he is one of the most bookable front row forwards on the speaking circuit.

Career highlights

  • Rugby World Cup winner, Australia 2003
  • 46 caps for England
  • British and Irish Lions squad member, South Africa 1997
  • First player to make an England debut in the professional era, 1995
  • MBE for services to rugby union, 2004
  • Six Nations Grand Slam winner, 2003
  • Premiership winner with Bath

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