Jeremy Guscott
Encyclopedia
Jeremy Clayton Guscott (born 7 July 1965 in Bath) is a former rugby union
outside centre who played for Bath
, England
and the British and Irish Lions
. On rare occasions, he has also appeared for England on the wing.
Guscott was born in Bath, and he played for his home city throughout his career, most of which was during the amateur era. Guscott was originally a bricklayer
, then worked for British Gas
in a public-relations role before the game turned professional. During the English off season of 1987, Guscott travelled to Australia and played for Wollongong Waratahs RFC in the Illawarra District Rugby Union competition. Later in his career he also secured work as a fashion model.
Known for his smooth running style, Guscott was often considered one of the finest ball-players of any rugby age. Former England Coach Clive Woodward
called Guscott the "Prince of Centres", and rugby-writer Stephen Jones hails Guscott as part of his 'dream centre combination', along with former New Zealand All Black Frank Bunce
. Marking his England debut with a hat-trick of tries in the 58–3 win over Romania in Bucharest in May 1989, Guscott received a call-up for the in progress British and Irish Lions tour of Australia
, making a series-winning contribution in the second and third Tests. He travelled to New Zealand in 1993 with the Lions, playing in all three Tests; though in this particular tour the Lions lost 2 matches to 1.
When Will Carling
stepped down as England captain in 1996, Phil de Glanville
was appointed his successor. As de Glanville was thereby guaranteed a place in the team, Carling was moved from inside centre to outside centre and Guscott was relegated to the bench. Such was Guscott's talent and form at the time that even Carling noted in his autobiography that it was an extraordinary decision for then England Coach, Jack Rowell
, to make. In the 1996 Five Nations, Guscott famously came off the bench to play on the wing against each of Ireland and Wales; in each instance sparking the squad's confidence and playing direct roles in their triumphs.
Guscott toured with the 1997 British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa, where he scored the winning drop goal during the decisive second test, after outstanding penalty kicking by Wales' Neil Jenkins
kept the Lions in the game. He started the third and final test in this series but broke his arm and could not finish the game.
His last game in England colours was against Tonga
in a 1999 Rugby World Cup
pool match at Twickenham Stadium
, scoring a length-of-field interception try and receiving a standing ovation upon the game's conclusion. An increasingly debilitating thigh injury forced Guscott to call time on his career and take an early exit from 1999 World Cup competition. England would go on to lose to South Africa, without Guscott, in the Quarter Final. In all, Guscott represented England in three World Cups – 1991, 1995, and 1999 – helping England to a Final appearance in 1991. He missed most of the 1994 International season through injury, and his form wavered for some time after returning, in particular during the 1995 World Cup, where many believed de Glanville meritted a place in the starting line-up over Guscott.
Guscott now works full time for the BBC
as a pundit on their Rugby Special
, Scrum V
and 6 Nations
programmes.
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
outside centre who played for Bath
Bath Rugby
Bath Rugby is an English professional rugby union club that is based in the city of Bath. They play in the Aviva Premiership league...
, England
England national rugby union team
The England national rugby union team represents England in rugby union. They compete in the annual Six Nations Championship with France, Ireland, Scotland, Italy, and Wales. They have won this championship on 26 occasions, 12 times winning the Grand Slam, making them the most successful team in...
and the British and Irish Lions
British and Irish Lions
The British and Irish Lions is a rugby union team made up of players from England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales...
. On rare occasions, he has also appeared for England on the wing.
Guscott was born in Bath, and he played for his home city throughout his career, most of which was during the amateur era. Guscott was originally a bricklayer
Bricklayer
A bricklayer or mason is a craftsman who lays bricks to construct brickwork. The term also refers to personnel who use blocks to construct blockwork walls and other forms of masonry. In British and Australian English, a bricklayer is colloquially known as a "brickie".The training of a trade in...
, then worked for British Gas
British Gas plc
British Gas plc was formerly the monopoly gas supplier and is a private sector in the United Kingdom.- History :In the early 1900s the gas market in the United Kingdom was mainly run by county councils and small private firms...
in a public-relations role before the game turned professional. During the English off season of 1987, Guscott travelled to Australia and played for Wollongong Waratahs RFC in the Illawarra District Rugby Union competition. Later in his career he also secured work as a fashion model.
Known for his smooth running style, Guscott was often considered one of the finest ball-players of any rugby age. Former England Coach Clive Woodward
Clive Woodward
Sir Clive Ronald Woodward OBE is an English former rugby union player and coach. He was coach of the team from 1997 to 2004, managing them to victory in the 2003 Rugby World Cup. He is currently the British Olympic Association's Director of Elite Performance.-Early life:Woodward was born in Ely...
called Guscott the "Prince of Centres", and rugby-writer Stephen Jones hails Guscott as part of his 'dream centre combination', along with former New Zealand All Black Frank Bunce
Frank Bunce
Frank Eneri Bunce is a retired New Zealand rugby union player and current coach. He played international rugby for both Western Samoa and New Zealand in the 1990s, appearing in the 1991 and 1995 World Cups...
. Marking his England debut with a hat-trick of tries in the 58–3 win over Romania in Bucharest in May 1989, Guscott received a call-up for the in progress British and Irish Lions tour of Australia
1989 British Lions tour to Australia
In 1989 the British Lions toured Australia for the first time since 1971. Despite losing the first test, the Lions won the remaining two to take the series 2-1...
, making a series-winning contribution in the second and third Tests. He travelled to New Zealand in 1993 with the Lions, playing in all three Tests; though in this particular tour the Lions lost 2 matches to 1.
When Will Carling
Will Carling
William David Charles Carling, OBE is a former Rugby union player for Harlequins, and a former captain of England from 1988 to 1996, winning 72 caps.-Early life:...
stepped down as England captain in 1996, Phil de Glanville
Phil de Glanville
Philip Ranulph de Glanville is a former English rugby union player who played at centre for Bath and England.-Rugby career:...
was appointed his successor. As de Glanville was thereby guaranteed a place in the team, Carling was moved from inside centre to outside centre and Guscott was relegated to the bench. Such was Guscott's talent and form at the time that even Carling noted in his autobiography that it was an extraordinary decision for then England Coach, Jack Rowell
Jack Rowell
Jack Rowell OBE is a former coach of rugby union sides including Bath and England.-Coaching:Between 1978 and 1994 Rowell coached Bath during their golden era, winning eight John Player/Pilkington Cups and five League Championships....
, to make. In the 1996 Five Nations, Guscott famously came off the bench to play on the wing against each of Ireland and Wales; in each instance sparking the squad's confidence and playing direct roles in their triumphs.
Guscott toured with the 1997 British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa, where he scored the winning drop goal during the decisive second test, after outstanding penalty kicking by Wales' Neil Jenkins
Neil Jenkins
Neil Jenkins MBE is a former rugby union football player and current coach. He played fly-half, centre, or full back for Pontypridd, Cardiff, Celtic Warriors, Wales and the British and Irish Lions. Jenkins is Wales' highest ever points-scorer and is the third highest on the List of leading Rugby...
kept the Lions in the game. He started the third and final test in this series but broke his arm and could not finish the game.
His last game in England colours was against Tonga
Tonga national rugby union team
The Tonga national rugby union team is nicknamed Ikale Tahi . Like their Polynesian neighbours, the Tongans start their matches with a war dance – the Kailao . They are members of the Pacific Islands Rugby Alliance along with Fiji and Samoa...
in a 1999 Rugby World Cup
1999 Rugby World Cup
The 1999 Rugby World Cup was the fourth Rugby World Cup, and the first to be held in rugby union's professional era. The principal host nation was Wales, although the majority of matches were played outside the country, shared between England, France, Scotland and Ireland...
pool match at Twickenham Stadium
Twickenham Stadium
Twickenham Stadium is a stadium located in Twickenham, in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. It is the largest rugby union stadium in the United Kingdom and has recently been enlarged to seat 82,000...
, scoring a length-of-field interception try and receiving a standing ovation upon the game's conclusion. An increasingly debilitating thigh injury forced Guscott to call time on his career and take an early exit from 1999 World Cup competition. England would go on to lose to South Africa, without Guscott, in the Quarter Final. In all, Guscott represented England in three World Cups – 1991, 1995, and 1999 – helping England to a Final appearance in 1991. He missed most of the 1994 International season through injury, and his form wavered for some time after returning, in particular during the 1995 World Cup, where many believed de Glanville meritted a place in the starting line-up over Guscott.
Guscott now works full time for the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
as a pundit on their Rugby Special
Rugby Special
Rugby Special was the main rugby union programme on the BBC in the UK. The show ran from 1966 and past presenters included David Vine, Keith Macklin, Cliff Morgan, Chris Rea, Nigel Starmer-Smith, Bill Beaumont and John Inverdale. The theme tune, "Holy Mackerel", was composed by The Shadows'...
, Scrum V
Scrum V
Scrum V is the brand used by BBC Wales for its rugby union programmes. The brand extends to BBC Wales' live coverage, Scrum V Live, highlights programmes, radio discussion and website.-Television:...
and 6 Nations
Six Nations Championship
The Six Nations Championship is an annual international rugby union competition involving six European sides: England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales....
programmes.