A true legend of rugby union, Neil Back has dedicated the majority of his life to the sport and has played a fundamental role in some of the most famous rugby games in history. Playing a pivotal role within England's 2003 Rugby World Cup winning squad, Back has been instrumental in a number of international and domestic success for both club and country. Now spending his time as a rugby speaker, Back is known to tailor his speeches to suit the audience, as highlighted by Sam Berry. On a personal level, Back is Leicester Tigers all-time leading try scorer in league rugby with 75 tries, he is also eighth on the clubs all-time try scorer list with an astonishing 125 tries.
Back played the majority of his domestic career at Leicester and earned 339 appearances in a stint that lasted 15 years, he scored 615 points in the process. Back started his career at Nottingham RFC and played there for two years before moving to Leicester. During his time at Leicester, Back won several domestic and European titles, these include the Premiership Rugby title and European Championships. Back often discusses maximising success as a speaker and discusses how he ensured him and his teammates maximised their abilities in order to win regular tournaments.
Back made his international debut against Scotland in 1994. During his nine year international career, Back played 66 times and was a crucial member of the World Cup winning squad in 2003. That was Black's most recognisable moment as a player and along with other members of the squad, Back was awarded an MBE. Back also scored one drop goal for England and is the only English forward to ever do so in the history of rugby union. Since retiring, Back has also spent time as a coach. He has coached Leicester and England, the club and country in which he built a legendary status at. As a rugby speaker Back often reflects on his illustrious career and the legacy he built within the sport. He also discusses the importance of teamwork and how to achieve peak performance.
How to hire Neil Back
Contact the Champions Speakers Agency to provisionally enquire about hiring Neil Back 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.
"Neil was absolutely fantastic. He had us all laughing from start to finish. Such a nice man and made every effort to join in and talk to all of us. Nothing was too much trouble, he gave out awards and posed for photos, was a great evening" - Sam, Swindon RFC
"The evening went very well. Neil spoke well, but also mixed with the audience before and afterwards. There were a couple of young Colts sitting near him and when he started reminiscing about winning the World Cup, he took out his medal and threw to one of them, their faces were a picture. A number of members commented afterwards that they thought it was one of the best dinners they had attended (I have organised 27 to date) and Neil clearly contributed to that! Many thanks for your help!" - Ian
"Neil was the perfect guest speaker our event. He carefully tailored his speech to suit the audience (KS1-KS5 students, parents and staff) and we received many comments from parents, headteachers and school children on how much they enjoyed his speech. He was personable and had a great rapport with students and staff." - Sam, Three Rivers & Watford School Sports Partnership
"I picked up Neil from his Hotel and he was waiting for me in reception. He was immaculately dressed and straight away he came across in a friendly manner. In the back of my car was my wife and two of my boys Cameron (13) and Rory (11). Neil introduced himself and immediately started talking to my boys about their rugby. We arrived at the rugby club and Neil continued his conversation with the boys for another five minutes. He then did something very special. He pulled out his World Cup medal and handed it to Rory. Well the look on that little boys face was priceless. As soon as we entered the clubhouse Neil introduced himself to some of the guests. He was relaxed and came across as sincere and genuinely interested in them. Neil's speech was excellent. It was just the right length and had many funny stories as well as giving an insight into Premiership rugby and that 2003 World Cup campaign. Neil was eager to keep things moving along as he wanted to get into the bar so he could mingle with the guests. I thought that summed up Neil’s whole attitude towards the evening. He wanted to be a part of the event and wanted to make sure that our guests could talk with him in a more relaxed environment. I have had lots of very positive feedback from the conversations our guest had with Neil. At midnight Neil's taxi arrived. I said that we had to go but I could see he was not ready and asked if he would like me to put the taxi back. 'Yes please' was his reply. I think again this showed that Neil was not just there to grab his fee and go. He genuinely wanted to have a good night out with like minded people. So a great and genuine guy who put his heart and soul into the night. He certainly made my boys night and I shall be forever grateful to Neil for that very special memory." Paul, Chairman Whitchurch Rugby
"Neil joined England Rugby Travel for the opening game of the 2014 RBS 6 Nations Championship in Paris. We had never worked with Neil before but his attitude, application, fun and humour around clients was excellent. He mixed insightful knowledge and understanding with the ability to be at ease around fans and it greatly added to the experience. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Neil or work with him again in the future." - England Rugby Travel
"All of the boys were inspired by your professionalism, knowledge, expertise and, importantly, approachability - you even won over the Welsh. The post-training session was the ideal way to wind down after the intensity of the physical and we all thoroughly enjoyed the Q & As, especially the As." - Paul, QBE Coaching session
"Neil was an absolute legend last Saturday! Very happy to have him again." - Carmen, THG
"Neil came down to North Devon to support North Devon Hospice’s “ Man Trak” event, a sponsored walk between Barnstaple and Bideford rugby clubs on the 6 Nations Super Saturday with England going for the Grand Slam. Neil could not have been a bigger hit. Without any chaperoning needed Neil made himself available to everyone, made time for everyone and when it came for him to say a few words, gave a very honest view on rugby today as well as deploying a sense of humour highly effectively when it came to the “questions and answers”. When he arrived at Barnstaple in a separate room at the club there was a kids birthday party and he didn’t blink when he was asked to nip in and say hello. Happy to share his World Cup Winner’s medal with everyone, Neil could not have done anymore, staying well past 11pm on the Saturday night. I would conclude by saying that I believe Neil would be a great success for any event whether corporate or charity." Stephen, North Devon Hospice
"Neil was great- arrived early and was a total professional. His presentation was exactly as we had discussed- our event attendees were delighted to hear from him and to meet with him afterwards during our networking drinks." - Rebecca, Zyme Solutions
"Neil Back was fantastic – a very easy guy to get along with and he mingled with all the guests really well. He arrived in plenty of time and got into the swing of things immediately. It only took about 5 minutes for the Munster fans amongst the guests to have a crack at him! He dealt with everything with great humour. He gave all present a terrific insight into the professional game and there were some brilliant stories which all rugby fans love to hear. A top guy and he would be welcome back at Bowdon RUFC any time." - Neil, Bowdon RUFC
"It went really well, Neil was fantastic the students were totally engaged and fingers crossed we got the message across that we needed. We are hoping that Neil will join us at a few fixtures now as the teams have asked him to come along so whatever he said must have worked. Thank you for helping us arrange Neil top come and speak to the students, fingers crossed it will bring home the win." - Natalie, Coventry University
"Following on from Neil Back’s amazing speech - He was great! He really communicated well with the audience and adapted to the environment of the site too. He was fantastic in delivering the key messages and responded very well to questions from the floor and our COO." Zoe, Lucozade Ribena Suntory
"The event went really well and we even took Neil for a couple at one of our sponsors' bars afterwards. I just sent him the photo album on Facebook and thanked him for coming over!" - Rugby Club Luxembourg
"Neil was good, and very personable and generous with the audience. He was a very nice guy and who had an impressive career indeed." - Christina, Duracell UK Ltd.
"Neil was through and through a really decent and nice guy, he spoke well and connected well to all in attendance. Not everyone there was a Rugby fan, but his message was motivational and inspiring for everyone there. He was also very patient as we went through a long presentation ceremony with our workforce and I was very thankful for his contribution." - Charles, Boneham Engineering
"The SRL celebrated its 50th Anniversary this year and we wanted to host an event that would be remembered. This was the first time the union had hosted a black tie event and given rugby is a minority sport in Finland, our guest speaker needed to be someone that Finnish players could recognise. Champions offered me a great range of speakers, but my dilemma was that many of them would only be known but the expats attending the event. Neil Back however was someone that many knew due to him being a World Cup winner with England in 2003 and for the infamous Leicester game featuring the Hand of Back. Neil was a pleasure to deal with and did exactly as he promised, one of the first to arrive and one of the last to leave. Open to conversation with all attendees and was very accommodating. The stories told were of high calibre and the presentation of the RWC2003 medal was great. Especially appreciated by those that got to hold and wear it. I would have no hesitations in recommending Neil for anyone thinking of hosting a great night." - Steve, Rugby Finland
"Can you pass our thanks from the club to Neil for a great evening and what a gentleman! We will be certainly using you again." - Tracy
