ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Graham Rowntree reacts to missing out on 2003 world cup in fascinating video

BY Jack Tunney  ·  Tuesday Sep 13, 2022

The year 2003 will forever be a year to remember for England rugby fans. Long will they reminisce about that famous drop goal, beating Australia on their own turf to win their first-ever rugby world cup. 

ADVERTISEMENT

The celebrations come the final whistle were matched only by the open top bus parades through central London, as the players received their well-deserved honours from their own fans.

To have been a part of these incredible celebrations would have been the pinnacle of any rugby player’s career, to achieve the greatest honour in the game. For some however, just missing out on these momentous occasions would cause a huge amount of heartache.

One such player that came so close to being a part of the campaign was current Munster head coach, Graham Rowntree.

For 17 years Rowntree played for Leicester Tigers, amassing almost 400 caps. The prop also made 54 England caps in his time, but unfortunately for him, none of those were during the 2003 world cup.

Check out Rowntree discussing his missed selection, and the discussions he’d had with fellow omitted England player Austin Healey:

@pinergyie @MunsterRugby’s new head coach, Graham Rowntree, talks about how he bounced back from being left out of the England squad for the 2003 Rugby World Cup 🏉 🏆 #SUAF #WeAre16 #PoweringTheDifference #munster #munsterrugby #rugby #fyp ♬ Sugarsweet – Zach Sorgen

Rowntree showed the maturity he’d had as a player:

ADVERTISEMENT

“It was tough, but I came back and got a good majority of caps after that disappointment. And I’m proud of that as a player”

On being given the bad news, he went on to say:

“But over time, a bit of reflection, and I look back now with my coaches hat on, it was the right decision”

Following their victory, Clive Woodward admitted that leaving Rowntree out of the squad was one of the hardest decisions he’d had to make during the time he was England’s head coach.

ADVERTISEMENT

Related Articles

  • 29 WEEKS AGO

    Jonny Gray to exit Exeter Chiefs with immediate...

  • 29 WEEKS AGO

    Former Connacht hooker shares brilliant rugby...

  • 29 WEEKS AGO

    Official calls halt to play amidst double-call...



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 16 HOURS AGO

    Fans in awe as Joyce finishes ‘impossible’ solo try

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: Outlandish Jacob Stockdale finish is truly world class

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Ulster denied THE GREATEST URC try you will ever see!

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Capuozzo break sets Dupont up for hatrick on return

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Fans praise 'Dom Perignon Rugby' as Irish players prepare for final match of South African tour

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 6 DAYS AGO

    WATCH: The biggest hit from week one of the Autumn Nations Series

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    'Cheap shot' from Leicester Tigers vs Northampton Saints causing a stir online

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Wild moment leads to all in brawl during Welsh derby between Cardiff and Scarlets

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    South African school boy makes the greatest tackle ever

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    Huge guillotine tackle divides fans in viral footage

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 16 HOURS AGO

    Fans in awe as Joyce finishes ‘impossible’ solo try

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Insane moment as french backrow waves off medic and smokes Ange Capuozzo

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible drop goal helps break 25-match losing streak

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Leinster fly half delivers insane 50:22 after being given start for Emerging Ireland

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    French scrumhalf drills perfect shot at goal under outrageous circumstances

View All

Funnies

  • 2 DAYS AGO

    “Put that in the book” - Rieko Ioane’s explosive post reignites feud with Sexton

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Mischievous Marcus Smith spotted engaging in the dark arts during All Blacks match

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Jonny Sexton: 'Fondest memory of the Heineken Cup in 2011?' - 'Gordon D'Arcy's bar' and 'Coppers'

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Watch: Mike Haley's post match interaction with RG Snyman leaves no doubt about where Munster players stand

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    The rugby guy and Mack Hansen drop an all time BANGER with latest video

View All

Amateur

  • 96 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 96 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 119 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

  • 119 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes At School Boys Rugby Match

  • 119 WEEKS AGO

    The Next Dominant Backrow?

View All

Player Features

  • 2 DAYS AGO

    It’s a 9.5/10 for Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’i

  • 2 DAYS AGO

    “Put that in the book” - Rieko Ioane’s explosive post reignites feud with Sexton

  • 5 DAYS AGO

    Should Steve Borthwick have brought on George Ford? Or trusted in Marcus Smith?

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Louis Rees-Zammit opens up about his biggest shock in chasing NFL dream

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    'It's been an honour' - Wales legend retires from international rugby

View All