John Barclay is a former Scottish rugby union player, renowned for his leadership and expertise on the field. John’s biggest achievement is captaining the Scotland national team during his 76-cap international career, including participation in three Rugby World Cups. He has transitioned from a celebrated player to a respected pundit and motivational speaker, captivating audiences with his experiences at the pinnacle of world rugby.
John's early career was shaped by his time in Hong Kong and Scotland. He discovered rugby at Stanley Fort RFC before moving to Scotland and attending Dollar Academy, where he captained the 1st XV rugby team to victory in the Scottish Schools Cup at Murrayfield. His impressive performances attracted attention, leading him to join Glasgow Warriors as an apprentice straight out of school. At just 17, John was invited to train with the Scotland national team, marking the beginning of his rapid rise in the world of professional rugby.
Over his illustrious career, John became a key figure in the Scotland team, particularly known for his breakdown skills and tactical intelligence. He was a vital part of the ‘Killer Bs’ back row, alongside Johnnie Beattie and Kelly Brown, which became a feared unit in international rugby. John earned recognition with his inclusion in the Pro12 Dream Team in 2010, and he was named ‘Man of the Match’ for his outstanding performance in Scotland’s famous 2010 victory over South Africa. As captain of Scotland, he led the team to their first victory over Wales in a decade during the 2017 Six Nations, cementing his legacy as one of Scotland's greatest rugby leaders.
John Barclay is a speaker who commands respect due to his real-world experience in leading teams under pressure, navigating the highs and lows of professional sport, and his deep understanding of perseverance and resilience. Audiences can expect to be inspired by his insights on leadership, overcoming challenges, and achieving success through teamwork and preparation. His topics resonate not just with sports teams but with business leaders, students, and professionals looking for guidance on high-performance strategies and resilience in competitive environments.
How to hire John Barclay
Contact the Champions Speakers Agency to provisionally enquire about hiring John Barclay for your next event, today. To get in touch, simply call an official booking agent on 0207 1010 553 or email us at [email protected] for more information.
** We do not accept requests for autographs, signed merchandise, fan mail, birthday messages or any other non-commercial contact with the speakers or acts. Each speaker on the website may not have necessarily worked with Champions in the past but are known to perform such engagements within the industry.
John Barclay's official speaker topics are listed below:
- Leadership under pressure and in high-stakes environments
- Resilience and overcoming adversity in professional sport and business
- Building, managing, and sustaining high-performance teams
- Sportsmanship, integrity, and professionalism in competition
- Strategic preparation and execution for peak performance
- Lessons from captaining Scotland in international rugby
- The role of discipline and work ethic in achieving long-term success
- Navigating career transitions and personal growth after retirement
- 2020 – Retired from professional rugby
- 2019 – Announced retirement from international rugby with 76 caps
- 2017 – Captained Scotland to a historic win over Wales in the Six Nations
- 2017 – Named Scotland’s captain for the final three matches of the Six Nations
- 2010 – Man of the Match in Scotland's victory over South Africa
- 2010 – Selected for the Pro12 Dream Team
- 2007 – Debut for Scotland in the Rugby World Cup
