The Profile
The rugby career behind the headlines.
Jason Leonard earned 114 caps for England during a period when props were expected to scrum, get up, scrum again, and never complain. He was in the 2003 World Cup winning squad, played in four World Cups across three decades, and earned more Five and Six Nations Grand Slams than he could probably list off the top of his head.
The Fun Bus nickname came from his good nature off the pitch and the sheer physical presence on it. He was not the biggest prop of his era but he was consistently the most reliable, and he played the entire front row rotation through multiple England coaching regimes because every single coach who took over trusted him completely.
Post-retirement, he has served as President of the RFU, been ambassador for more rugby charities than could be listed in a short bio, and is one of the most in-demand speakers on the circuit. He tells rugby stories the way rugby stories are supposed to be told, with no pretence, a lot of laughter, and the occasional detail that makes you realise how seriously he took the actual playing.
“Front row is the only position where your shift ends when you are too tired to stand up. Fly halves never understand this and that is fine.”
Career highlights
- Rugby World Cup winner, 2003
- 114 England caps, a record for props in his era
- Three Lions tours, 1993, 1997, 2001
- Five Grand Slams with England
- President of the RFU, 2015 to 2016
- OBE for services to rugby
First hand
Jason Leonard at Steam
Jason has spoken at Steam three times. His most recent visit in January 2026 was a double header with Jeremy Guscott, and the rugby chat alone was worth the ticket price.