Available to book
Transform rugby performance with James Lang, speaker and international rugby professional. James works with organisations to build resilience, high-performance mindsets and team cohesion, delivering insights from his career with Harlequins, Edinburgh Rugby and Scotland.
James Lang is a prominent figure in rugby, having played for Harlequins and now Edinburgh Rugby. His impressive career has also seen him capped at international level for Scotland.
Having initially represented Harlequins at schoolboy level, he gained prominence and honed his skills at number 10 during his time at Welsh side Rygbi Gogledd Cymru.
In 2018, James was selected as part of the Scottish squad for a summer tour to Canada, the United States, and Argentina, where he earned his first senior cap for Scotland.
Already known for his strong and accurate kicking by the age of 22, James returned to the Harlequins academy and subsequently made successful appearances as a fly-half/inside centre for Harlequins' first team.
After a 5-year contract at Harlequins, James signed for United Rugby Championship side Edinburgh Rugby, where he retains the number 10 position.
James’ rugby career has been shaped by dedication, hard work, and the ability to adapt and overcome the pressure a high-level sporting individual is exposed to. Not only does he thrive in this environment, he does it with humour and candour.
Topics, sessions and talks
When playing in his no. 10 shirt, professional rugby player James Lang must command the backline, calling upon his leadership skills. James’s decisions can have a real impact on the outcome of the game, just as the decisions many of us make at work do on the rest of our teams. Learn how James steps up to the leadership role required of him, even under the immense pressure of the game with tips on communication, confidence and more.
James Lang's talk focuses on strategies for overcoming challenges, emphasising resilience and positive mindset in navigating life's inevitable setbacks and adversities.
Having to perform at an elite level involves high levels of confidence both in yourself and the team around you. Without it, everything from decision-making to concentration can take a hit. In this talk, professional rugby player James Lang shares his examples of how confidence has been his ally and talks about the times he's lost confidence, the effects that has had on him and how he’s managed to rebuild it, even during the most challenging moments.
Working under pressure. Some thrive on it and are able to work more effectively, others will struggle. Performing anything live always increases the amount of pressure. For professional rugby player James Lang, though, this is his norm: playing live games weekly and still being expected to perform every time. Understand how James is able to harness the power of pressure in his game and what it takes to play at professional and international levels in elite sports.
James brings a wealth of experience from the high-pressure world of international rugby, offering unique insights into teamwork, resilience, and achieving excellence. His journey from a schoolboy player to a professional athlete on the global stage embodies dedication and adaptability, making him an inspiring figure for teams and businesses alike. With his engaging storytelling and candid humour, James will captivate your audience, leaving them motivated and ready to tackle their own challenges.
often considered together
Karl Dickson
Dealing With Pressure
Communication
Confidence
Jamie Peacock
Team Building
Leadership Development
High Performance
Eugene Amo-Dadzie
High Performance
Growth Mindset
Dealing With Pressure
frequently asked questions
Something we've not covered here?
James Lang draws on first-person experience from professional rugby to illustrate his points, using specific moments from his playing career — such as losing and rebuilding confidence, or making high-stakes decisions at fly-half — as concrete reference points for workplace and personal development themes.
James Lang speaks on leadership under pressure, resilience and overcoming setbacks, and rebuilding confidence after adversity. He has been capped at international level for Scotland, representing the national side on their 2018 summer tour to Canada, the United States, and Argentina.
No, PepTalk doesn't charge a booking fee. You pay the speaker's fee plus any travel and expenses, which PepTalk confirms upfront in your quote. The shortlist, contracting and event-day logistics are included. For repeat or multi-event bookings, PepTalk can agree preferential rates with your procurement team.
PepTalk sends a shortlist of matched speakers within 24 hours, each with a profile, a fee and a recommendation on the strongest fit. The more you share about your date, audience, format, objectives and budget, the closer the match. Once you choose, PepTalk handles the contract, travel and logistics through to event day.
The typical fee range on a PepTalk speaker profile is a guide to what that speaker usually costs for an in-person event in their home market, shown in their local currency. The final fee depends on format, location, date and session length. Virtual and shorter sessions usually cost less, and international travel and peak dates cost more. PepTalk confirms the exact fee in your currency once it has your brief.
No. PepTalk represents 15,000+ speakers, hosts, comedians and entertainers, some booked directly and others through their agents and agencies worldwide. The process is the same for all of them: PepTalk checks availability, negotiates the fee and manages the contract and logistics.
Book a speaker three to six months before your event. Allow 12 months for large conferences, peak-season dates or a specific in-demand name. PepTalk also fills last-minute and replacement bookings, often within days, so get in touch as soon as you have a date, even at short notice.
