Six-foot-ten former lock forward who played for the Northampton Saints and Bedford Blues and earned 34 caps playing for England's national rugby union team.
He was educated at Bedford School in Bedfordshire, England.
After his playing career was over, he became a sports journalist.
He raised three daughters: Polly, Lucy, and Rosy.
He doubled for Robbie Coltrane, who played Hagrid in the Harry Potter movies, performing stunts and in shots in which Hagrid's height needed to be emphasized.