Our ambassadors
Some of the greatest rugby players ever to take to the field are on our team.
Our ambassadors include British & Irish Lions captains and Rugby World Cup winners. They will be meeting and working with Howden customers, clients, colleagues, and communities as we celebrate greatness and look forward to all the men’s rugby action in Australia in 2025, and beyond to the Howden British & Irish Lions Women’s Series in New Zealand in 2027.
Gavin Hastings
Gavin Hastings is one of Scotland’s rugby superstars, earning 61 caps for his country and scoring an impressive 667 points. Gavin was born in Edinburgh and has represented multiple clubs, including Cambridge University, Watsonians, London Scottish, University of Auckland and the Barbarians.
Gavin toured with The British & Irish Lions to Australia in 1989, where he was a part of the successful side that won the Test Series 2-1. Known for his leadership, Gavin captained the Scottish team on 20 occasions and the Lions on his second tour (to New Zealand in 1993). Gavin played all six Test matches across the two tours, scoring a try in the second Test in Australia 1989. Gavin was known for his deadly goal-kicking, scoring more than 150 points in the iconic red Lions jersey.
In 2013 Gavin was awarded an OBE for his services to the rugby union and inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame.
Brian O'Driscoll
Brian O'Driscoll is a former Ireland rugby union player who, during his 15-year career, captained Leinster, Ireland and The British & Irish Lions. He played 141 test matches – 133 for Ireland (83 as captain), and eight for The Lions.
O'Driscoll holds the Six Nations record for most tries scored with 26, and was also chosen as Player of the Tournament in the 2006, 2007 and 2009 Six Nations Championships.
Since retiring from international rugby in 2014, Brian works in a number of different capacities both in sport and in the business world and was inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame in 2016.
Jason Robinson
A dual code international, playing both rugby union and rugby league for England and Great Britain and the Lions, Jason Robinson scored England’s only try to help clinch the 2003 Rugby World Cup final. Known for his remarkable speed and playing both wing and full back, Robinson made 51 England (union) appearances, amassing 140 points, and was selected in two Lions tours (2001 and 2005), as well as being named England Captain.
Following his international retirement Jason now coaches in both league and union as well as founding the Jason Robinson Foundation, a non-profit organisation that connects children and young people with opportunities to transform their lives by providing training, events, life skills and mentors.
Already an MBE, Jason was awarded an OBE in the 2008 New Years Honours.
Jamie Roberts
Jamie Roberts made his debut for Wales in the 2008 Six Nations, starting his successful career including 94 caps for Wales and two British & Irish Lions tours. Forming an impressive partnership with Brian O’Driscoll in the 2009 tour to South Africa, the Welsh centre was named Lions Player of the Series for his impact in the first two Tests.
After the 2009 tour, Jamie’s career further flourished, assisting Wales to the 2011 Rugby World Cup semi-finals, the 2012 Six Nations Grand Slam and another Championship in 2013. Jamie was selected for his second Lions Tour to Australia in 2012. After recovering from injury, he was named in the starting XV for the third and final test in Sydney, scoring a try as the Lions defeated the Wallabies in the only test series won by The Lions this century.
Maggie Alphonsi
Maggie Alphonsi is one of the most well-known and famous faces in international women’s rugby. Maggie represented England an impressive 74 times, scoring a total of 28 tries, winning a World Cup in 2014 and helping England win a groundbreaking seven consecutive Six Nations Crowns.
Maggie played a crucial role in the team that won the 2014 Rugby World Cup, the first time in 20 years. In 2016, Maggie made history by becoming the first ever England Women’s player to be elected as a National Member of the Rugby Football Union’s Council. Through her rugby career Maggie has not only become an iconic name, but also a media professional, commentating on live matches and featuring in a vast number of media outlets.
Nolli Waterman
In an international career spanning an astounding 15 years, after making her debut at the age of 18, Danielle ‘Nolli’ Waterman won 82 caps for England, scoring 205 points in the process. As well as playing XVs, Nolli represented England and Team GB Sevens. She was part of England’s Rugby World Cup winning side, lifting the trophy in 2014. Nolli can now often be seen on TV, after becoming ITV’s first female rugby commentator for coverage of the 2019 Rugby World Cup and 2020 Six Nations. Nolli is also an Olympian and CEO of the Women’s Rugby Association.
George Gregan
George Gregan is one of Australia’s most capped international rugby union player, representing the Wallabies in 139 Test matches across his 14 year career and regarded as one of the best scrum-halves in the sport’s history.
In 1999, George helped Australia to victory in the Rugby World Cup final, leading him to captaining the Wallabies into the 2003 World Cup Final. George was instrumental in the 2001 Wallabies 2-1 victory against The British & Irish Lions.
In 2009, George was included in Sport Australia Hall of Fame and in 2013, World Rugby Hall of Fame.
Howden British & Irish Lions Women's Tour 2027
Discover more about the first-ever Lions women’s tour and our support for the fastest growing area in the game.
Find out more
A jersey fit for heroes
Howden is proud to be on the front of the new Lions men’s jersey. In a first for the Lions, the new jersey features a connected tag that gives fans exclusive access to insider content on the Lions Clubhouse app. So, no matter where you’re watching, at home or away, it can bring you closer to the action.
Show me more