Rugby Canada – Canada’s Heather Moyse is being inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame on November 17 in Rugby, England. Heather will be the first Canadian female rugby player to be inducted, and only the second from Canada, as former National Team Captain & four Rugby World Cup veteran Gareth Rees joined in 2011. 

Twelve legends of the game will be inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame at a special ceremony to celebrate the official opening of the physical visitor experience in Rugby, England on 17 November.  

Four England players, three Welshmen, a Scot, an Irishman, a Japanese legend, an Australian and a Canadian will be honoured at the ceremony, which will also be attended by a host of other rugby luminaries as the Hall of Fame establishes a physical home for the very first time.

The full list of new inductees (with induction number and country) is:

Brian O’Driscoll (121, Ireland), Shane Williams (122, Wales), Jeremy Guscott (123, England), Lawrence Dallaglio (124, England), Heather Moyse (125, Canada), John Dawes (126, Wales), GPS Macpherson (127, Scotland), Arthur Gould (128, Wales), Jonny Wilkinson (129, England), Daniel Carroll (130, Australia and USA), Daisuke Ohata (131, Japan) and Maggie Alphonsi (132, England).

Confirmation of the class of 2016 takes the grand total of inductees to 132 with each celebrated and profiled within a physical experience in the birthplace of the game that will be fully-interactive, immersive and delivered in multiple languages.

World Rugby Chairman Bill Beaumont, who will be in attendance at the induction ceremony this week, said: “The World Rugby Hall of Fame recognises those who have made an indelible mark on our sport through feats on the field of play, displays of great character or through their tireless and inspirational work in driving forward our great game.

“The latest set of inductions includes some real legends, players who have helped to shape the image of rugby and inspire generations of fans. They are truly some of the biggest names in our sport and all have contributed immensely to the enjoyment we have all felt watching top-level rugby over the decades. Each of these 12 inductees has made a positive impression on the sport that will last the test of time.

“While the Hall of Fame has been in existence for some years, it is exciting that finally it will have a permanent home and fitting that it should be in the town that gave our game its name, Rugby. The physical Hall of Fame will be a wonderful focal point for the game and will attract fans from all over the world to relive the great exploits of rugby’s most prominent and talented individuals.”

For more information about the World Rugby Hall of Fame click here.

For members of the public, the World Rugby Hall of Fame opens as a physical attraction in Rugby, England at 10am on Friday 18 November. Entry is free but can be booked in advance here.

Editors’ notes:

To be eligible for consideration in the World Rugby Hall of Fame, inductees will generally have been retired from playing and coaching international rugby for at least three years. They will have made an outstanding contribution to the game of rugby while demonstrating rugby’s core values of passion, integrity, solidarity, discipline and respect.

World Rugby Hall of Fame panel consists of: World Rugby Chairman Bill Beaumont, Chris Rea (Scotland), Gerald Davies (Wales), Keith Quinn (New Zealand), Jim Webster (Australia), Pablo Mamone (Argentina), Henri Garcia (France), Don Cameron (New Zealand), David Hands (England) and panel secretary Chris Thau.

At the beginning of each year, World Rugby determines if there is a relevant theme for that year’s inductions and from there puts a long-list of candidates together. The long-list is then put to the World Rugby Hall of Fame panel for voting. These votes and a discussion with the World Rugby Chairman determine the final list of candidates to be inducted. Each year approximately six to 10 people are inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame at a presentation which is normally held in November.

121. BRIAN O’DRISCOLL (IRELAND)

Ireland’s record try-scorer and cap-holder with 46 tries in 133 test appearances from 1999-2014, O’Driscoll is considered to be one of his country’s all-time greatest players. He made his Ireland debut at Rugby World Cup 1999 but it was a sensational hat-trick in a famous Irish win over France in Paris the following year that really made the rugby world sit up and take notice. Forging an outstanding midfield partnership with Gordon D’Arcy, O’Driscoll had the lot as a centre – power, pace and footwork in attack and the ability to win turnovers in defence with his strong presence over the ball. The Dublin native and loyal Leinster man also won eight caps for the Lions over a career that spanned four tours, scoring a breath-taking try on debut against Australia at Brisbane in 2001. He captained the side four years later in New Zealand. In 2009, O’Driscoll, a three-time World Rugby Player of the Year nominee, led Ireland to their first Six Nations grand slam in 61 years. 

122. SHANE WILLIAMS (WALES)

Despite his diminutive stature, Shane Williams’ lofty standing in the game is beyond doubt. Wales’ record try-scorer with 58 tries in 87 test appearances, Williams was a crowd-pleaser who could beat defenders at will with a devastating side-step or blistering turn of pace. Awarded his first cap by Graham Henry against France in 2000, Williams enjoyed 11 years at the top and was also capped four times by the Lions, scoring twice in the victorious third test against South Africa in 2009. His five tries against Manawatu on the 2005 tour to New Zealand equalled the Lions’ single-game record. Twice a Six Nations grand slam winner with Wales, Williams became the first and only Welshman to be named World Rugby Player of the Year in 2008. He also appeared in three Rugby World Cups, from 2003-2011, scoring six tries in the 2007 edition before helping Wales reach the semi-finals at the next tournament in New Zealand. 

123. JEREMY GUSCOTT (ENGLAND)

Widely regarded as one of the most skilful and elegant players of his generation, Guscott enjoyed a stellar career with hometown club Bath, England and the British and Irish Lions. Having already lit up the club scene with his ability to glide past defenders on the outside through a swivel of the hips or an injection of pace, he made an instant impression on the international scene with a hat-trick on debut against Romania in 1989. Guscott won the Six Nations grand slam with England in 1991 and reached the Rugby World Cup final later that year. After 65 caps and 30 tries Guscott called time on his playing career at the conclusion of RWC 1999. As well as being a fixture in the England side for the best part of a decade, Guscott won two series with the Lions, most notably in South Africa in 1997 when his dropped goal in the second test proved decisive.

124. LAWRENCE DALLAGLIO (ENGLAND)

Lawrence Dallaglio was one of the most charismatic and decorated players of his generation, a leading light for his club Wasps and England in an era of unprecedented success. The number eight formed a formidable back-row trinity with Richard Hill and Neil Back and was a key member of the England side that won the grand slam and Rugby World Cup in 2003. Dallaglio also enjoyed the rare distinction of being a Rugby World Cup winner in both 15s and sevens, having won the sevens version at Murrayfield a decade earlier. Captain for 22 of his 85 England caps, Dallaglio was persuaded out of retirement to appear at France 2007, where his leadership skills helped steer England to a second RWC final. As a Lion, Dallaglio was an ever-present in the victorious test series against South Africa in 1997. Subsequent tours to Australia and New Zealand were cut short by injury.

125. HEATHER MOYSE (CANADA)

Described as Canada’s best female athlete, the multi-talented Moyse represented her country at rugby, cycling and bobsleigh. Indeed, she won two gold medals in the two-woman bobsleigh at the Winter Olympics in 2010 and 2014. A devastating finisher, the winger-cum-full-back made 22 international appearances for Canada in 15s and starred in two Women’s Rugby World Cups (2006 and 2010), scoring a tournament best seven tries in each (equal with New Zealand’s Carla Hohepa in 2010). After breaking her right ankle in Canada’s final game at WRWC 2010, Moyse took up cycling as part of her rehabilitation and was selected to compete for the national team at the Pan-American Track Cycling Championships in 2012. Despite not having played rugby since WRWC 2010 and undergoing surgery to her hip, Moyse then returned to her first sporting love and helped Canada to second place at Women’s Rugby World Cup Sevens 2013.

126. JOHN DAWES (WALES)

A master tactician, Dawes left an indelible mark on British rugby during the 1970s as both captain and coach. The playmaker only scored four international tries in 26 tests for Wales and the Lions but created countless others with his ability to put team-mates into space. Dawes was a member of Wales’ triple crown-winning side of 1965 but it wasn’t until the 1970s that his ability was fully appreciated. Not only did he guide Wales to a grand slam in 1971, the London Welsh captain also led the Lions to their first series win in New Zealand. In 1973, he captained the Barbarians in their famous Twickenham win against the touring All Blacks, playing a hand in Gareth Edwards’ famous try. Dawes’ reign as Wales coach was the most successful in their history, capped by two more grand slams in 1976 and 1978. He also coached the Lions in New Zealand in 1977.

127. GPS MACPHERSON (SCOTLAND)

George Philip Stewart Macpherson was a key figure during a halcyon period for Scotland in the inter-World War years. An outstanding centre, who possessed a brilliant rugby brain as well as a jinking side-step, Macpherson won the first of his 26 caps in a 3-3 draw against France in 1922 while studying classics at Oriel College, Oxford. The Oxford backline mirrored that of Scotland’s and the understanding he enjoyed with fellow students Ian Smith, George Aitken and Johnny Wallace made Scotland a potent attacking force. He won three blues and captained his country 12 times, guiding Scotland to their first grand slam in 1925 at the newly built Murrayfield Stadium. Rated the best in his position bar none, he toured with the Barbarians in 1929 and played his last game for Scotland against England in 1932. A fine sevens player, Macpherson was a two-time Melrose Cup winner with Edinburgh Academicals, whom he captained to the Scottish Championship in 1930. He passed away in 1981 aged 77.

128. ARTHUR GOULD (WALES)

Captain of both club and country, Newport legend Arthur Gould is regarded as the first superstar of Welsh rugby. The multi-skilled and charismatic back played 27 times for Wales, 25 at centre and two at full-back, and was captain in 18 of them – a record that lasted almost a century. He retired in 1897 and remained Wales’ most-capped centre until overtaken by Steve Fenwick in 1980. Under his captaincy, Wales broke new ground, registering their first international win against England at Dewsbury in 1890 and their first triple crown and championship three years later. He scored two tries in the win over England that year, one a brilliant long distance effort. One of three brothers to represent Wales, Gould played for Newport for 16 years between 1882 and 1898. His tally of 37 tries in 24 games in the 1893-94 season is a club record that stands to this day. He passed away in 1919 aged 54.

129. JONNY WILKINSON (ENGLAND)

Jonny Wilkinson will forever be immortalised in the history books as the man who kicked England to victory in the Rugby World Cup 2003 final, slotting an extra-time dropped goal that broke Australia’s hearts. The dropped goal was an important part of the fly-half’s repertoire but this one was unusual for the fact it came off his right foot not his favoured left. Relentless in his drive for perfection, Wilkinson established himself as the world’s leading number 10 in a 13-year international career that saw him win 91 caps for England and six for the Lions, scoring an incredible 1,246 points. He retired from international rugby after his fourth Rugby World Cup in 2011, and his tally of 277 tournament points still stands. The World Rugby Player of the Year 2003 was a long-time servant of Newcastle but finished his club career as a European Cup winner with Toulon.

130. DANIEL CARROLL (AUSTRALIA)

Daniel Carroll was a double Olympic gold-medallist with his native Australia in 1908 and then as player-coach of the USA team in 1920. A gifted utility back and the youngest member of the squad aged 20, Carroll made a significant contribution to the successful ‘First Wallabies’ tour of the northern hemisphere in 1908-09, scoring twice as Great Britain were defeated at the Games in London. Having made his test debut against Wales on that tour, Carroll had to wait another four years for his second cap – against the USA in California. Carroll stayed on in America to study and was capped three times by his adopted country, whom he served with distinction during World War I as a lieutenant in the US Army. His second USA cap came as player-coach against France at the 1920 Olympic Games in Antwerp. His tactical know-how was invaluable to an otherwise inexperienced squad and the USA defied their underdog status to win 8-0. He passed away in 1956 aged 67.

131. DAISUKE OHATA (JAPAN)

Flying winger Daisuke Ohata entered the history books on 14 May, 2006 when he overtook David Campese’s record of 64 test tries in 101 appearances with a hat-trick against Georgia. Ohata reached the milestone in half the number of tests and the Japan Rugby Football Union presented him with a gold-striped jersey to mark his achievement. Ohata started and ended his 10-year international career, from 1996-2006, with hat-tricks against Korea, and he once scored eight tries in a match, against Chinese Taipei in 2002 in a 155-3 victory. Overall, he amassed an incredible 69 tries in just 58 test appearances. While critics argued that his record was devalued because the quality of opposition was often not of the same standard faced by Campese, Ohata proved he could cut it on the world’s biggest stage with three tries in seven Rugby World Cup appearances between 1999-2003. He retired from playing in January 2011 due to a knee injury.

132. MAGGIE ALPHONSI (ENGLAND)

The ‘First Lady’ of English women’s rugby, Maggie Alphonsi was a key member of the England side that dominated the Six Nations with seven straight titles – six of them grand slams – between 2006 and 2012 and won Women’s Rugby World Cup 2014. A fearless and ferocious flanker, Alphonsi became known as ‘Maggie the Machine’ for her phenomenal work-rate and ability to make big tackles. In 2011, she became the first female recipient of the Rugby Writers’ prestigious Pat Marshall Award. Having scored 28 tries in 74 games for England and led her club Saracens to a league and cup double, Alphonsi finally hung up her boots in 2015. She then embarked on a successful career in the media as a TV pundit and was an ambassador for Rugby World Cup 2015. A year later, she was elected to the RFU Council and continues to be an inspiration to the next generation of female players.
 

JAMES FITZGERALD
Media Manager, World Rugby
T: +353-1-240-9237 / +353-86-1723-570
E: james.fitzgerald@worldrugby.org

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