Joe Worsley

Joe Worsley is an England Rugby winner. Born in London, Worsley joined the London Wasps at the young age of 16 from Welwyn RFC. Being extremely successful, Worsley became the youngest player to represent England U21's, after being a member of the England Schools 18 group Grand Slam team in 1994-95. Noted for his defensive capabilities against opposing ball-carriers, his ability to play any of the three back row positions earned him a place in the England World Cup squad in 1999 as a bench replacement. Winning his first cap against Tonga in the World Cup, Worsley then played against Scotland and Italy during England's Six Nations Championship matches in the year 2000. Winning two more caps as a replacement in that summer's Tests against South Africa, Worsley was beginning to quickly prove himself.

Later on in 2001, Worsley enjoyed a successful tour in North America and in that same summer, he filled Lawrence Dallagio's number 8 position alongside scoring against both Canada and the United States. Worsley continued in the back row for England's 2001 Investec challenge matches, when he turned in two outstanding performances against Australia and South Africa. He also replaced Richard Hill in both of England's 2003 tour matches against New Zealand and Australia. Worsley's 2002-03 season started well, with Worsley winning Man of The Match against Saracens in September. However, a hamstring injury, forced out of the England Autumn internationals and six weeks of the Zurich Premiership. Worsley scored England's second try in their win over Wales at Cardiff in 2003, just eight days after scoring against France A for England A at Northampton, and being voted man of the match.

Being a member of England's victorious Rugby World Cup squad in 2003, coming on during the pool match against South Africa and starting against both Samoa and Uruguay. In 2004, Worsley played against international teams in the Six Nations Championship. These included Italy, Ireland and France. Worsley played powerfully against both South Africa and Australia in November of 2004. Starting on the back row, Worsley was now an automatic choice after former England captain Lawrence Dallaglio retired from England duty two months earlier. Being a member of the London Wasps, in 2004, the London Wasps won both the Zurich Premiership final and the Heineken European Cup final.

Worsley also played well on the summer tour of New Zealand and Australia. Due to a knee injury, Worsley missed out on the entire on England's entire 2005 Autumn test series. Worsley later regained full fitness for the 2006 Six Nations Championship. Worsley also played in the 2007 Rugby World Cup. Worsley then toured New Zealand in June 2008, coming on as a substitute in both Tests, and was named as a replacement for Tom Rees in the shadow of the 2009 Six Nations, and began as a replacement against Italy. Worsley then restarted in his international career, starting in front of Steffon Amitage against Wales and going on to prove his worth by earning man of the match. Worsley went on to play on the Lions 2009 tour of South Africa in front of any other English flankers. In August of 2001, it was announced that Worsley had been cut from England's training squad due to injury and would probably miss the 2011 Rugby World Cup. It was then later announced that Worsley would be forced to retire due a serious neck injury. A brilliant motivational speaker and true inspiration, Worsley is now working as a defence coach of French top 14 team Bordeaux Begles.