Ugo Monye

Former England rugby star turned popular pundit, Ugo Monye has gained a loyal fan base for both his pursuits on and off the pitch. A versatile player, Monye thrived in the positions of wing, centre and fullback making him an undeniable asset to every team he joined. Turning his attention to the media, Monye has become a reliable and well-loved commentator on the sport, recognised for his ability to perfectly balance humour with insightful analysis. As a speaker, Monye shares anecdotes from his extensive sporting career, and transfers lessons learnt from the field to a corporate setting, such as resilience and leadership.

Representing your country is an honour for any athlete, and one Monye achieved 14 times, after gaining his debut cap at Twickenham in 2008. After impressing with the national team and securing impressive results such as his try in the Six Nations in 2009, Monye was called to the squad for the British and Irish Lions of South Africa. Equally prominent in his club career, Monye was known for his speed as a former sprinter, he maintained his powerful running speed and his muscular form, a unique and desirable quality for any rugby player. A one-club player, Monye spent the duration of his youth and professional career with the Harlequins appearing 237 times for the side and won both the Premiership title and the European Rugby Challenge Cup.

Taking to the stage as an after-dinner speaker, Monye’s impressive career lends itself to engaging audiences, no matter their knowledge of the rugby. Whether he’s discussing how he achieved peak performance or how he worked alongside his teammates to succeed, Monye naturally relates his experiences to that of his audience. Both entertaining and educational, Monye’s presence at any after-dinner event is guaranteed to leave a long-lasting impression on guests.

Having hung up his boots in 2015, Monye has remained a prominent figure in the sport, as a pundit and podcaster on rugby. Regularly seen on Sky Sport and BT Sport, Monye provides insightful analysis on high profile games, predictions on future stars and suggestions based on his personal experience. One of his most popular ventures since retiring is as the host of Rugby Union Weekly podcast on BBC. Partnering up with Chris Jones for the podcast, Monye has developed a dedicated following thanks to his humorous and entertaining approach to rugby news.