Matt Dawson

Matt Dawson is one of England’s best-loved former rugby players, and is now a prominent sport commentator, journalist, and presenter.

He played for Northampton Saints, London Wasps, and the British & Irish Lions. He won 77 caps for England and made his mark on rugby by being part of the England team who won the 2003 World Cup.

Since retiring in 2006, he has become a national TV personality, appearing on BBC’s A Question of Sport (2004-2021), Celebrity MasterChef (2006) – which he won, and Strictly Come Dancing (2006).

Matt Dawson also works as a health ambassador for Sodexo, an international food and facilities provider, and in 2014 he was appointed as Director for Business Development.

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Type Of Speaker

Event Hosts High Performance Keynote Leadership & Teamwork Moderators & Facilitators Motivational Personal Development Resilience Speaker Sport

More About Matt Dawson

Matt Dawson | Rugby Career

Matt Dawson’s club rugby career started in 1991 when he joined Northampton; he was among the last generation of players who started their career whilst the game was still seen as amateur. During his time at the club, he won the 2000 Heineken Cup, finished runner-up in the Anglo-Welsh cup three times, and was voted by fans into the all-time dream team. He moved from Northampton to London Wasps in 2004 and stayed there until 2006.

As well as a successful club career, Matt is probably best known for playing internationally for England. He started in the England Sevens team in 1993 which one the inaugural Sevens World Cup. He made his international debut for the England Rugby team in 1995.

He went on to compete in the 1997 British Lions tour to South Africa, which they won; he then captained the team for the infamous “tour from hell” of Australia and South Africa in 1998. He also played in the 1999 Rugby World Cup, the 2000 Six Nations, the 2001 British & Irish Lions tour of Australia, the 2003 Six Nations and World Cup (which they won), 2005 Six Nations, and British & Lions tour of New Zealand. He would announce his retirement from playing all rugby in 2006.

Matt Dawson | Media

In 2004, Matt Dawson became one of the team captains on BBC’s A Question of Sport, which was watched on average by 8 million people per week.

As a respected sports journalist, Matt is often seen presenting and commentating on rugby tournaments such as the annua Six Nations, and the World Cup. He also presented at the 2012 London Olympics for the BBC, covering cycling events for Radio Five Live.

He has been a popular face on our TV screens, appearing on news programmes such as Breakfast (2006-23), Lorraine (2018), and Good Morning Britain (2016-17), entertainment show Great British Menu (2008) and Fifth Gear (2010), and as a contestant on Richard Osman’s House of Games (2023), Tipping Point: Lucky Stars (2022), Would I Lie To You (2013), Celebrity Eggheads (2008), and Strictly Come Dancing (2006) – he would finish the dancing competition as runner-up.

He is also a prominent name in printed journalism, contributing to The Telegraph and The Times.

Matt Dawson England Rugby Player British Irish Lions Question of Sport Strictly motivational speaker book at agent Great British Speakers

Matt Dawson | Charity Work

Matt uses his prominent position in the media and on social platforms – where he has over 1,200,000 followers – to draw attention a range of charitable endeavours.

In 2013 he was named President of the children’s medical research charity Sparks, whose mission is to ensure all babies are born healthy and continue to stay healthy. In 2015, he took part in a cycle ride for the charity, cycling from Cardiff to Twickenham, totalling 150 miles in one day.

He is also an Honorary President of the rugby charity Wooden Spoon, which aims to improve the lives of disadvantaged young people in the UK. He has been a supporter of UNICEF since 2004, and in 2009 became a UNICEF UK Ambassador.

He is the Patron of The National Hospital Development Foundation, and Patron of the Beating Bowel Cancer charity. He even posed nude in the magazine Cosmopolitan in support of the prostate and testicular cancer charity Everyman.

Matt Dawson England Rugby Player British Irish Lions Question of Sport Strictly motivational speaker at agent Great British Speakers

Matt Dawson | Speaking Topics

Working Under Pressure: Matt has a plethora of experiences to draw upon when it comes to working under pressure, be it on the rugby field, cooking in MasterChef, dancing on Strictly, or commentating and presenting at the Olympics.

High Performance: Matt has played in some of rugby’s top championships, including the Six Nations and the World Cup, which brings an expectation of a high performance level.

Confidence: Matt educates audience members on the benefits of self-confidence, and confidence in a wider team.

Leadership: Matt has captained the England rugby team on several occasions, as well as captaining a team on A Question of Sport, and so he has lots of tangible tips to help build a more confident and successful leadership style.

Motivation: Matt explores how internal and external motivation has lead him to all manners of success in his personal and professional life.

Setbacks and Adversity: Being an elite sportsman is fraught with setbacks, such as not being chosen to play in the main squad. Matt talks about overcoming this and how to use it to your advantage.

Sports Journalism: Matt is a respected sports journalist, commentator, and presenter; here he honestly talks about his experiences on the other side of the rugby pitch.

Matt is also available for award ceremony hosting duties and panel chairing.