The brutal diets and relentless training schedules that rugby players endure don’t always vanish once the final whistle blows on their careers.
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But let’s face it—not everyone sticks to the plan. Some ex-pros swap protein shakes for pints, trade meal preps for takeaways, and let the gym membership quietly expire. The result? A fitness drop-off that’s hard to ignore.
Then there are the exceptions—legends like Neil Back, the World Cup-winning machine who’s kept himself in absurdly good shape.
These retired rugby warriors? They’re out here making 20- and 30-year-olds look like amateurs.
#1. Neil Back – 55
Moving into the fast-paced world of financial services and keeping up with the stream of ambassadorial roles, media commitments and speaking engagements Champions Celebrity secures on his behalf, Neil fell out of the training habit he’d been in for the majority of his life.
But then a chance conversation with his daughter’s Strength & Conditioning coach changed everything as he got back into the gym
2. Jonathan Davies – 61
Less Guinness and more hard work has seen the former Wales star transform himself during lockdown. He looks incredible!
3. Will Greenwood – 52
The former England centre has shared a photo of his current physique and it’s impressive to say the least!
4. Matt Dunning – 44
Since retiring from rugby union the prophas lost a staggering 40kg, dropping from 25 per cent body fat to just 11 per cent. What an incredible weight loss with the Aussie undoubtedly in the shape of his life.
5. Lee Mears – 44
The former Bath and England international rugby player retired from the game due to a life-threatening heart condition. Trying to stay healthy has since became a priority and it’s fair to say he’s looking amazing!
6. Phil Vickery – 48
The World Cup-winning prop has transformed his body since hanging up his boots. Vickery, who won the 2011 series of Celebrity Masterchef, has recently opened his new Cheltenham restaurant, No.3, after the Coronavirus pandemic delayed first orders. He’s literally half the man he used to be.
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QUIZ: Can you name these 10 England one-cap wonders…
This quiz challenges you to identify 10 players who earned the rare distinction of making just one appearance for the England rugby team.
These “one-cap wonders” might have been on the brink of a promising international career, unlucky with competition in their position, or simply never got another chance after their debut.
Test your knowledge and see if you can remember these players who had their brief moment in the England jersey!
