“There are things I could have done differently, I could have been more professional…and not had 5-10 beers after a game with all the other lads”

Ahead of appearing as a guest of honour at Rugby Club Luxembourg’s 50ht Anniversary gala dinner, I got the chance to chat with one of my ultimate rugby heroes… a fact I managed to keep secret for all of about 30 seconds. As a mainstay of England's phenomenal back three, Iain Balshaw's raw speed and impeccable timing made him one of the game's most potent attacking threats, and as part of the 2003 World Cup Winning squad cemented himself in rugby legend. Even if the gas has gone a touch and he takes to wearing a girdle, Iain Balshaw is great company as he expresses the importance of grass roots rugby and sharing who inspired him to become a rugby player in this first place… this is part one of two. We must offer sincere thanks to Tony Whiteman for the help in getting this set up…