Rugby Legends For After-Dinner Entertainment

Sam Warburton OBE

Sam Warburton captained Wales through some of their most successful years and led the British & Irish Lions on two tours. His after-dinner speaking draws on leading elite athletes from different nations toward a common goal, a challenge that mirrors what diverse business teams face today. He's particularly strong on decision-making under pressure and maintaining standards through setbacks.

Lawrence Dallaglio

Lawrence Dallaglio embodies English rugby's golden era, bringing both gravitas and warmth to the stage. His journey from World Cup winner to successful entrepreneur gives him credibility across sporting and business contexts. His speaking style balances humour with hard-won wisdom about building winning cultures and overcoming personal adversity.

Sean Fitzpatrick

Sean Fitzpatrick represents All Blacks excellence at its finest, as one of New Zealand's most capped players and a World Cup winner. He speaks with authority on the legendary All Blacks culture, a subject that fascinates business leaders trying to embed sustained excellence into their own organisations. His international perspective adds particular value for global companies.

Jonny Wilkinson CBE

Jonny Wilkinson's World Cup-winning drop goal remains one of sport's most iconic moments, but his speaking goes far beyond that single kick. He discusses mental preparation, handling expectation, and the pursuit of perfection with a thoughtfulness that elevates any corporate event. His introspective approach offers genuine psychological insight rather than surface-level motivation.

Sir Clive Woodward

Sir Clive Woodward engineered England's 2003 World Cup triumph through meticulous attention to detail and innovative thinking. His after-dinner presentations explore how marginal gains accumulate into transformative results, a concept that has since become mainstream in business strategy. His move from sport into business leadership adds practical credibility to his insights.

Andrew Trimble

Andrew Trimble brings Irish charm and sharp analysis to the stage. His post-playing career as a broadcaster has honed his ability to distil complex sporting moments into accessible narratives, and his speaking connects team dynamics with individual accountability in ways that feel immediately applicable to workplace scenarios.

Ben Cohen MBE

Ben Cohen contributed to England's World Cup-winning campaign and now speaks on values-driven leadership, drawing on his advocacy work as an LGBTQ+ ally and anti-bullying campaigner. His story adds real depth to conversations about culture and inclusion.

Ben Kay MBE

Ben Kay was part of England's World Cup-winning squad and now brings an analytical approach and quick wit to the after-dinner circuit, particularly effective for audiences who appreciate intelligence wrapped in entertainment.

Abbie Ward

Abbie Ward is an England international and former Bristol Bears captain whose experience balancing elite performance with motherhood resonates strongly in discussions about workplace flexibility and redefining success.

Catherine Spencer

Catherine Spencer is a former England captain whose pioneering role in women's rugby, and the leadership positions she's held since, offer real insight into breaking barriers and building something from scratch.

Ellie Kildunne MBE

Ellie Kildunne represents the current generation of professional women's rugby players. As World Women's Player of the Year, she speaks to younger audiences about ambition and seizing emerging opportunities.

Andrew Mehrtens

Andrew Mehrtens brings Southern Hemisphere flair and an All Blacks track record to the stage, leaning toward the entertaining end of the spectrum while still delivering substance on high-performance environments. A career in finance, including a spell as Sales Director at the Bank of New Zealand, gives him an easy crossover into corporate events.

James Kerr

James Kerr isn't a player himself, but he's become rugby's most influential business author through his work studying the All Blacks. His book Legacy has sold over 250,000 copies globally, and his speaking unpacks the cultural principles behind sustained excellence in ways business audiences find immediately actionable.

Interested in booking James? Get in touch with the PepTalk team.