BRIAN MOORE

Known world wide as “Pitbull” on the basis that once he got stuck in he would not let go on the field Brain was a fiercely competitive and at times controversial hooker for Mosley, Nottingham, Harlequins, England and the British Lions.

For England Brian was an inspirational leader of the pack and with a total of 64 caps between 1987 and 1995 he remains England 's most capped hooker of all time. He played in the three World Cups including the World Cup final against Australia at Twickenham in 1991 and was also a member of the England side that won Grand Slams in 1991, 1992 and 1995. However for the Celts England's loss to Scotland in 1990 in Edinburgh in the grand slam play off is probably a more indelible memory. In 1991 he was voted the Rugby World Player of the Year

He went on two British and Irish Lions tours winning five caps. In Australia in 1989 the Lions won the series 2 - 1 and Brian was famously caught celebrating the following morning on Sydney Harbour Bridge doing aeroplane impressions. His reaction after loosing the series to New Zealand in 1993 where the score line was reversed is probably equally colourful.

A practising lawyer throughout his time in the England pack, when he stopped playing he took a couple of years out of the law trying his hand at a variety of businesses, including opening a nail salon. Whether this experience of manicurists led him to controversially at the time describe a poor punch in an international as a "Gay Slap" is open to speculation. He was also the wine correspondent of The Today newspaper having developed the taste on discovering wine bars "attracted better-looking women". As at the time rugby players were still on occasions drinking aftershave and that in Halifax where Brian comes from after ordering a pint of larger he was once informed "we don't serve cocktails in here" his tastes and his intelligence were always at odds with his on field persona.

These days Brian is a commercial litigation partner in Memery Crystal solicitors in London and commentates regularly on television & radio on rugby including being part of the BBC’s commentary team for the past three years. Knowledgeable, sharp and articulate with an acerbic wit he is one of the rare breed of sportsmen-turned-broadcaster who pays no heed to the code of critical silence that usually afflicts the recently retired. Just as he did as a player, Brian as a commentator has remained an outspoken personality who pulls no punches with strong view on the game. He remains perfectly happy to have a go at anybody and consequently is without doubt one of the best after dinner rugby speakers although it is still considered wise when visiting Scotland for him to take along a copy of his parent's marriage certificate.