Biography
Christopher Robert Andrew, known as Rob Andrew, was born on 18 February 1963 in Richmond, North Yorkshire, England. Renowned for both his skills on the field and his leadership off it, Andrew is one of the most iconic English rugby players of recent decades. Educated at St John’s College, Cambridge, he also stood out in the sport of cricket, competing at university and semi-professional levels.
Clubs Played For and Years
- Cambridge University – 1982 to 1985
- Nottingham RFC – 1985 to 1986
- Wasps FC – 1987 to 1991
- Stade Toulousain (France) – 1991 to 1992
- Wasps FC – 1992 to 1995
- Newcastle Falcons – 1995 to 1999
- England National Team – 1985 to 1997 (71 caps, 396 points)
- British and Irish Lions – 1989, 1993 (5 caps, 11 points)
Rugby World Cups Participated In
Rob Andrew represented England in three Rugby World Cups:
- 1987: Played two matches.
- 1991: Was a key figure in England’s path to the final, notably scoring a decisive drop goal in the semi-final against Scotland.
- 1995: Once again played a crucial role, with a last-minute drop goal that gave England a dramatic 25–22 win over Australia – the Wallabies’ last loss in a Rugby World Cup until 2003.
Career Highlights
- Made his international debut for England in January 1985 against Romania at Twickenham.
- Won three Grand Slams with England in the Five Nations Championship (1991, 1992, 1995).
- Held the England record for most points in a single international match: 30 points vs Canada (1994).
- Director of Rugby at Newcastle Falcons, where he discovered and developed Jonny Wilkinson.
- Inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame in 2017.
Andrew also played in two tours with the British and Irish Lions (1989, 1993), including captaining the team against France in a special match marking the bicentenary of the French Revolution.
Personal Life
Off the field, Rob Andrew has had a prominent career in sports administration. He served as the Director of Elite Rugby at the RFU, and later transitioned to cricket management, becoming Chief Executive of Sussex County Cricket Club in 2016. In 2024, he was appointed Managing Director of the Professional Game at the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).
He is married to Sara Andrew and they have three daughters: Emily, Beth, and Iola. Rob Andrew is also an Honorary President of Wooden Spoon, a rugby charity that raises funds to support disadvantaged children and young people in the UK and Ireland.