Will carling children

British Lions & England international rugby union player

For those of a similar name, see William Carlin (disambiguation).

Rugby player

William David Charles CarlingOBE (born 12 December ) is an English former rugby union player.^[1] He was England's youngest captain, aged 22, and won 72 caps from to , captaining England 59 times.

Under his captaincy, England won Five NationsGrand Slam in , and , and reached the World Cup final.

He played for Rosslyn Park and Harlequins at club level. In the New Year Honours, he was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE).^[2]

Since retiring, Carling has pursued interests including corporate speaking and punditry.

In he joined the England coaching staff of Eddie Jones as a leadership mentor.^[3]

Early life

The son of Lieutenant Colonel Bill Carling, an officer in the Royal Regiment of Wales, Carling was born in Bradford-on-Avon^[1] and educated at Terra Nova School in Cheshire and then Sedbergh School, on an army scholarship.^[4][a] He disliked being sent to prep school but showed an aptitude for rugby and played above his age group, arriving at Sedbergh – a "big rugby school" – with a reputation as a serious talent.^[6]

On 2 April he made his debut for England Schools in a 16–0 victory over Ireland.^[7] He narrowly missed out on a junior Grand Slam, with an England Schools side that included Kevin Simms, Victor Ubogu and Carling's future Durham and Harlequins teammate Andy Mullins, losing 13–12 to Wales.^[8]

University

Having decided for a career in the British Army like his father, Carling – after a gap year – took an in-service degree in Psychology at Durham University.^[1][9] This meant the "occasional weekend exercise", but otherwise military activities were rather limited.^[9] He was an undergraduate student at Hatfield College, Durham (which had built a strong sporting reputation post-war), and was reunited with Mullins.^[9] Carling did not enjoy the transition from school to university rugby, and claimed to have "stagnated" in terms of development.^[10] Playing his first year at fullback, he had to accept a style of rugby that offered less creative freedom than he was used to.

"Caution was the watchword and it was not something I was used to. Instead of running everything, as you are encouraged to do in the idealistic world of schoolboy rugby, I was coached to kick, to play safety-first rugby."^[10]

Carling strongly considered giving up rugby after failing to enjoy his first year on the pitch at Durham, but found himself rejuvenated during an old boys' match at Sedbergh; and this reignited a desire to succeed in the sport.^[10] By his own admission he did not take his studies seriously and was often absent for lectures.

He left with an ordinary pass degree in ^[9] In January that year, Carling, still an undergraduate, made his debut for England against France at the Parc des Princes.^[4] In May he was invited to tour with England abroad, but the start date clashed with his final exams. Consequently, he took his exams two days early, and to safeguard examination security, was driven straight to Newcastle Airport.^[11]

Despite a less than stellar academic record, Carling had the opportunity to continue his education at the University of Cambridge and represent Cambridge University R.U.F.C., who had already recruited his Durham colleague Chris Oti.^[12] However, Carling did not follow up the invitation, believing it would be unethical to accept a place he had not earned.^[12]

Career

Early career, –

The England rugby team were in a period of transition following failure at the Rugby World Cup.

There was a new manager, Geoff Cooke, and a new coach, Roger Uttley, replacing Mike Weston and Martin Green.

France: Wal May Tim Horan vs. Arg Sep Stuart Barnes vs. In the run-up to the World Cup, after England returned to form with their third Grand Slam in five years, Carling described the Rugby Football Union general committee as "57 old farts" which led to his sacking as captain. Follow Mirror.

England's recent record was one of considerable underachievement, described by one writer as a "sprawling desert of failure, stretching back as far as " — they had only won a single Five Nations Championship since then, in ^[13] The new season offered good prospects for younger players, as league rugby was introduced for the first time, establishing a "proper system which rewarded progress"; Divisional Championships, which brought the best club players into regional teams, would not necessarily be the main method of selection in future.^[14]

In February Carling made his debut for Harlequins against Metropolitan Police.^[15] He soon played for England B in a 22–9 win over France B.^[16] Carling sensed he had a chance of earning his first senior England cap when Kevin Simms, a former England Schoolboys teammate, was selected to play against Romania.

As Carling knew the strengths and weaknesses of Simms and "wasn't in awe of him", expectation that he might match this achievement grew.^[17]

"Simmsy was one of us. He unpicked the myth and also provided the motivation. If he could do it, then so could I. Maybe those blokes in the England side weren't so special after all."^[17]

Around Christmas Carling took part in an England trial for the upcoming Five Nations Championship.^[17] Initially he and Simms were set to be part of a junior team set to test more experienced "probables" including Simon Halliday of Bath and John Buckton of Saracens; but both Halliday and Buckton pulled hamstrings, which saw Carling and Simms "bumped up".

The team list was officially published the following Monday, and after some uncertainty, Carling realised he'd earned his first callup when a university friend phoned to congratulate him.^[17] His debut against France on 16 January was a defeat, with England losing in Paris due to a late French score. Later comparing the atmosphere in the dressing room afterwards to a "morgue", Carling was nonetheless pleased with his own performance.^[18] Carling started the remaining games against Wales, Scotland and Ireland, with England winning the latter two to finish third in that years Five Nations Championship.^[19][20]

Though still expected to pursue a military career, Carling abandoned these plans.^[4] He has stated that, contrary to media suggestions, he was never "fully commissioned".^[4] By Carling's own account, he was due to attend Sandhurst for the full officer training course in August , but his status as an England international meant the army would not be able to accommodate his rugby ambitions.

As a result, Carling opted to "buy himself out" of the army for £8,^[18][b] As rugby was an amateur game at this point, he accepted an executive post with Mobil Oil to make ends meet.^[16]

–

Under Carling England started to challenge and beat the established rugby union powers such as New Zealand and Australia, and their success helped to make rugby union a more popular sport in England.

English victories over New Zealand and South Africa in were perhaps the peak of England's performance under Carling.

Carling's career included the British Lions tour to New Zealand. He underachieved on that tour, a pattern attributed by coach Ian McGeechan and manager Geoff Cooke as at least partly due to his failing to secure the captaincy (this instead going to Gavin Hastings of Scotland) but also due in large part to the ascendency in the centre of both Jeremy Guscott and Scott Gibbs of Wales.

McGeechan and Cooke disclosed that Carling came close to voluntarily withdrawing from the squad; he did however recover his test place and played a notable role in the third test.

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McGeechan commented in his autobiography that Carling's failure to rise to the occasion as a Lion (in contrast to Guscott) may be seen by some as the difference between his legacy as a good player and a great player.

Also in , he became the second captain after John Pullin to lead and beat all of the “Big Three” Southern Hemisphere sides: Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, after beating the All Blacks 15–9.

He had earlier led England to wins against Australia in November , and South Africa in November As captain, he had 2 wins against Australia, 1 against New Zealand, and 2 against South Africa.

World Cup

In the run-up to the World Cup, after England returned to form with their third Grand Slam in five years, Carling described the Rugby Football Union general committee as "57 old farts" which led to his sacking as captain.

The incident had been provoked by administrator Dudley Wood's comments about England players' alleged desire to cheat by breaking the amateur ethic. He was however quickly reinstated due to public pressure and following a public apology was able to go to the Rugby World Cup. After a slow start, England found form and subsequently won all their group games knocking out Australia in the quarter-final 25–22, thanks to a last-minute drop-goal from Rob Andrew.

They were well beaten by New Zealand in the semi-final, largely thanks to four tries from Jonah Lomu. Although Carling himself scored two tries towards the end of that game, and set up two more for Rory Underwood, England lost 45– The subsequent loss in the third place play-off, against France, was England's first loss to the French in seven years.

Following his resignation from the England captaincy, he continued to be selected as an outside centre, usually with Guscott or Phil de Glanville; the latter succeeded him as captain.

Life after rugby

After his rugby career ended he became a TV pundit on rugby union. He has also worked as a motivational speaker^[22] and in founded Will Carling Management Ltd, a corporate hospitality company^[23][24] which is also involved in the rugby social networking website 'Rucku'.^[25]

George Gregan, an Australian player, equalled Carling's then world record 59 matches as captain in the Rugby World Cup against Fiji.

In the Tri Nations Series, SpringbokJohn Smit also equalled and then beat Carling's record in tests between New Zealand in Bloemfontein, and Durban respectively. Brian O'Driscoll Ireland/Lions and , and Richie McCaw broke his record in

Personal life

Carling is married to his second wife Lisa, the ex-wife of David Cooke.

The couple have two children. Carling has an older son with former partner Ali Cockayne. Carling was previously married to the television presenter Julia Carling (née Smith) from to Prior to their divorce, he was romantically linked by some members of the press with Diana, Princess of Wales, the then-wife of Prince Charles.^[26][27][28] Carling has denied any such relationship.^[29]

Carling, whose mother was diagnosed with breast cancer when he was an infant and later died from the disease, is a patron of the charity Breakthrough Breast Cancer.^[30]

Politics

In August , Carling was one of public figures who were signatories to a letter to The Guardian opposing Scottish independence in the run-up to September's referendum on that issue.^[31]

Matches as captain

No.	Date	Opposition	Venue	Score	Status	Notes
1	5 November	&#;Australia	Twickenham, London	28–19	Test Match
2	4 February	&#;Scotland	Twickenham, London	12–12	Five Nations
3	18 February	&#;Ireland	Lansdowne Road, Dublin	16–3
4	4 March	&#;France	Twickenham, London	11–0		1 Try
5	18 March	&#;Wales	National Stadium, Cardiff	9–12
6	4 November	&#;Fiji	Twickenham, London	58–23	Test Match
7	20 January	&#;Ireland	Twickenham, London	23–0	Five Nations
8	3 February	&#;France	Parc des Princes, Paris	26–7		1 Try
9	17 February	&#;Wales	Twickenham, London	34–6		1 Try
10	17 March	&#;Scotland	Murrayfield, Edinburgh	7–13
11	28 July	&#;Argentina	Vélez Sársfield, Buenos Aires	25–12	Argentina Series
12	4 August		Vélez Sársfield, Buenos Aires	13–15
13	3 November	&#;Argentina	Twickenham, London	51–0	Test Match
14	19 January	&#;Wales	National Stadium, Cardiff	25–6	Five Nations
15	16 February	&#;Scotland	Twickenham, London	21–12
16	2 March	&#;Ireland	Lansdowne Road, Dublin	16–7
17	16 March	&#;France	Twickenham, London	21–19
18	20 July	&#;Fiji	National Stadium, Suva	28–12	Test Match
19	27 July	&#;Australia	Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney	15–40	Test Match
20	3 October	&#;New Zealand	Twickenham, London	12–18	Rugby World Cup
21	8 October	&#;Italy	Twickenham, London	36–6
22	11 October	&#;United States	Twickenham, London	37–9		1 Try
23	19 October	&#;France	Parc des Princes, Paris	19–10		1 Try
24	26 October	&#;Scotland	Murrayfield, Edinburgh	9–6
25	2 November	&#;Australia	Twickenham, London	6–12	Rugby World Cup Final
26	18 January	&#;Scotland	Murrayfield, Edinburgh	25–7	Five Nations
27	1 February	&#;Ireland	Twickenham, London	38–9
28	15 February	&#;France	Parc des Princes, Paris	31–13
29	7 March	&#;Wales	Twickenham, London	24–0		1 Try
30	17 October	&#;Canada	Wembley Stadium, London	26–13	Test Match
31	14 November	&#;South Africa	Twickenham, London	33–16	Test Match	1 Try
32	16 January	&#;France	Twickenham, London	16–15	Five Nations
33	9 February	&#;Wales	National Stadium, Cardiff	9–10
34	6 March	&#;Scotland	Twickenham, London	26–12
35	20 March	&#;Ireland	Lansdowne Road, Dublin	3–17
36	27 November	&#;New Zealand	Twickenham, London	15–9	Test Match
37	5 February	&#;Scotland	Murrayfield, Edinburgh	15–14	Five Nations
38	19 February	&#;Ireland	Twickenham, London	12–13
39	5 March	&#;France	Parc des Princes, Paris	18–14
40	19 March	&#;Wales	Twickenham, London	15–8
41	4 June	&#;South Africa	Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria	32–15	South Africa Series
42	11 June		Newlands, Cape Town	9–27
43	12 November	&#;Romania	Twickenham, London	54–3	Test Match	1 Try
44	10 December	&#;Canada	Twickenham, London	60–9	Test Match
45	21 January	&#;Ireland	Lansdowne Road, Dublin	20–8	Five Nations	1 Try
46	4 February	&#;France	Twickenham, London	31–10
47	18 February	&#;Wales	National Stadium, Cardiff	23–9
48	18 March	&#;Scotland	Twickenham, London	24–12
49	27 May	&#;Argentina	Kings Park Stadium, Durban	24–18	Rugby World Cup
50	4 June	&#;Western Samoa	Kings Park Stadium, Durban	44–22
51	11 June	&#;Australia	Newlands, Cape Town	25–22
52	18 June	&#;New Zealand	Newlands, Cape Town	29–45		2 Tries
53	22 June	&#;France	Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria	9–19
54	18 November	&#;South Africa	Twickenham, London	14–24	Test Match
55	16 December	&#;Western Samoa	Twickenham, London	27–9	Test Match
56	20 January	&#;France	Parc des Princes, Paris	12–15	Five Nations
57	3 February	&#;Wales	Twickenham, London	21–15
58	2 March	&#;Scotland	Murrayfield, Edinburgh	18–9
59	16 March	&#;Ireland	Twickenham, London	28–15

Honours as captain

Rugby World Cup

Five Nations Championship

Calcutta Cup

• Winners: , –96
• Runners-up:

Millennium Trophy

• Winners: –92, –96
• Runners-up: –94

Honours

In , World Rugby inducted Carling into its World Rugby Hall of Fame, alongside Osea Kolinisau, Humphrey Kayange, Huriana Manuel, Cheryl McAfee and Jim Telfer.^[32]

Notes

References

External links