The latest episode of Stick to Rugby, brought to you by Defender, welcomes England’s youngest-ever captain Will Carling to the panel alongside Lawrence Dallaglio, Katy Daley-McLean, Tom Shanklin & Scott Quinnell for a personal and honest conversation about leadership, pressure, and life beyond the game.
Will opens up about being handed the England captaincy at just 22, the internal battles he faced, and the moments he knew he bottled it. He shares how handwritten letters helped him connect with his teammates and why leadership is about “the little touches.”
The team revisits his media challenges, post-career struggles, and the mental toll of going from national icon to “car crash years.” Carling also lifts the lid on his role under Eddie Jones, why Clive Woodward built the better environment, and how English rugby has struggled to replicate success since 2003.
There are plenty of stories along the way — from meeting Nelson Mandela and Robin Williams, to why his teammates bet on how long he’d last as captain, and how Peter Winterbottom terrified everyone.
One of English rugby’s most defining figures joins the show for a look back on legacy, leadership and life in the spotlight.
🚨🔔 Subscribe now and hit the notification bell so you never miss an episode!
00:00 - Introduction 03:29 - Behind-the-Scenes Chat 06:23 - Quickfire Questions 08:13 - The Mickey Skinner Story 09:22 - Will’s First Impression of Lawrence 10:16 - Jack Rowell & the Flying Car Keys 13:14 - Why Will Wrote Letters to Teammates 16:24 - Biggest Regrets from Will’s Career 17:54 - Becoming England Captain at 22 22:48 - What Drove Will’s Success 23:57 - The Dream of the England Shirt 24:22 - The Pressure of Leading England 26:31 - What Makes a Great Leader 28:10 - Inside Eddie Jones’ Intense England Camp 32:29 - Handling the Media Pile-On 34:01 - Being Left Out: Selection Day Blues 36:46 - Advice Will Would Give His Younger Self 37:55 - Mr Blobby Story 38:47 - Does Will Get the Credit He Deserves? 40:32 - Why Will Stepped Down as Captain 42:00 - Reinstated as England Captain 44:44 - Hanging Up the Boots 46:25 - Will’s Top 5 English Players 50:20 - The Most Brutal Match He Played In 52:05 - Will’s A-List Celebrity Encounters 53:28 - Shanks on Meeting Nelson Mandela 54:52 - The Funniest Mandela Story You’ll Hear 57:27 - When Scott Quinnell Met the Queen 58:00 - Mark Regan’s Earl Grey Moment 59:31 - Quickfire Rugby Quiz
