One of the best loved and most respected members of England's legendary 2003 World Cup winning squad, Will Greenwood is now a renowned thinker on the game. A strong, incisive centre who cut defences to shreds with his angled runs, Greenwood was a fixture in the England back line for the best part of seven years and his tries in the World Cup were crucial in securing victory.
In the win over South Africa that kick-started England's road to glory it was Greenwood who crossed the line for the game's only try, racing onto a Lewis Moody charge-down. In the quarter-final against Wales England looked out of sorts and a vibrant Welsh side were on course to cause a massive upset. Despite not hitting top gear it was England who did enough to claim the win and again Greenwood was on hand to score England's only try. Keeping pace with the electric Jason Robinson, Greenwood touched down in the corner early in the second half, sparking an England comeback.
Greenwood ended the tournament as the joint-highest try scorer and his jump for joy as Johnny Wilkinson's winning drop goal sailed through the posts captured the mood of a nation ecstatic at finally securing a World Cup win. The centre's performance in Australia was all the more remarkable considering he had to fly home in the latter stages of the tournament as his wife was having problems in pregnancy. With mother and child fine he returned to finish what he had started and bring home the World Cup for England.
An integral part of England's Six Nations victories in 2000 and 2001, Greenwood was also on top form in England's exhilarating Grand Slam win in 2003. In the crucial final game against Ireland at Lansdowne Road, England swept away their opposition with Greenwood imperious in the midfield, scoring two tries as they romped to a 42-6 win. In 2004 he won his last of 55 caps, a haul of 31 tries making him the second highest try-scorer in England.
Born of rugby stock, Greenwood's father, Dick, was a flanker for England. Greenwood moved to London to become a trader and joined Harlequins in the days before professionalism. When rugby went pro he committed himself to the game and moved north to join Leicester Tigers where he would win two Premiership titles before returning to Harlequins. A veteran of three Lions tours, Greenwood really did accomplish everything a player could wish for in his rugby career. In 2006 he retired from the game after helping Quins to promotion back to the Premiership. He is now a much sought after pundit on television, radio and in the print media.