Former Welsh and British Lions rugby star Scott Quinnell was the guest speaker at the Lincoln Rugby Club World Cup Special Sportsman’s
dinner. The event took place at The Lawn, in Lincoln, with a great time had by all.Several members and players of the rugby club were in attendance
along with representatives from several local businesses.First XV fly half/centre Paul Clarke was the MC for the evening.
Quinnell played rugby union for Llanelli Scarlets and Richmond, as well as representing both Wales and the British Lions.The Welsh forward won
52 caps for his country, scoring 11 tries and captaining the side seven times.He also played for Wigan Warriors rugby league club between 1994 and 1996.
With the Rugby World Cup Final between England and South Africa looming tomorrow, Quinnell believes England can go on to lift the trophy.
“I’ve got to say, I think England will win on Saturday,” said Quinnell.
“I said France would beat Argentina, Wales would beat Fiji, Australia and France would beat England…I’ve been wrong so far.”
“When England won in 2003, it was one of the best things to happen to rugby.Great Britain became the envy of the world.
Quinnell feels it has been a magnificent tournament to watch and hopes the game will continue to get more global.
“I think Argentina have been magnificent, it has been such a fine tournament with 16 teams,” said Quinnell.
“Portugal lost by almost 100 points to New Zealand, but did you see the pride on their faces? We need the game to get more global”.
The former prop/number 8 talked about his rugby experiences, revealing that the camaraderie was by far his favourite aspect of the game.
“I finished playing two years ago last June, and people often say to me, ‘don’t you miss the game?’” said Quinnell.
”To be honest I don’t, the game gave me up in the end, but the only thing I desperately miss is the camaraderie, being part of a team, talking about rugby
with the lads.”
Quinnell spoke about the highlights of his career, making several mentions of being on the Lions tour.
“Once every four years a special event comes, and no not the World Cup, but the Lions Tour,” said Quinnell.
Quinnell was picked for the 1997 tour but had to leave early due to a double hernia, but he was in the squad once again in 2001, a moment he described
as the ‘pinnacle’ of his career.
The 2001 tour included several highlights for Quinnell, most notably the superb try he scored against Australia.
“It was a wonderful moment but not my best time on tour, my best moment comes back to the point of camaraderie,” said Quinnell.
In fact, his best moment came when Austin Healey was challenging people to spar with him with everyone declining apart from one little voice that spoke up
- Brian O’Driscoll.
”Austin kept missing his hits, and O’Driscoll got a few jabs in on his nose.We later found out Brian was Ireland’s ABA boxing champion.That was the best
day of the 2001 Lions tour by far,” said Quinnell.
As a proud Welshman, Quinnell also spoke about the amazing atmospheres he experienced at the Millenium Stadium, including one very special moment.
On June 20 2005, Quinnell and team mate Rob Howley played their testimonial match together, with Quinnell playing for Great Britain and Ireland, and
Howley with the World XV.
“It was the best day for me and one I enjoyed more than any other,” said Quinnell.
“I had played with my brothers individually before, but I was able to play with them both together.”
“Myself and Howley had to abseil down Millenium Stadium.It was the first time and only time I’ve ever been quicker than Rob Howley,” joked Quinnell.
But what made that day extra special for Quinnell was that not only did he play alongside his two brothers – Craig and Gavin – but his father, and his son
Steve, who was six at the time, came on in the final minutes.
“All the Quinnells were on the pitch in the same jerseys it was very special,” said Quinnell.
“We arranged for Steve to score the last try.Alex King gave Steve a simple pass, and he rang at the opposition centre Selesi Finau.”
“Steve ran to him, was metres out, he looked up at the tall Tongan and just gave him the ball.Selesi, the nice guy that he is, gave it straight back to him to score.”
Quinnell rounded off the proceedings with a question and answer session, in what was a truly entertaining evening.
