I hate to see Steve Thompson the way he is and I mention him because I know him. I don't want to see anyone like that. I never really thought that I was in the mix and after that loss, a lot of us thought we had blown our chances,” said Bayfield. A hilarious and, at times, moving and soul-searching account of rugby union's rollercoaster days in the 1990s, told through the eyes of a player who saw it all as the sport lurched shambolically from the crazy final days of amateurism into the professional era. In time he’d reinvent himself, become an actor, work in three Harry Potter films and become a broadcaster and now, as of last week, a published author. Ireland, he says, can become world champions. Injury prematurely ended Martin’s rugby career in 1998, but his charismatic personality and natural stage presence enabled him to easily transition into TV Presenting and speaking at corporate events.

Bayfield released A Very Tall Story, a memoir of his rugby days, on Sept. 15, 2022. [4] Filmography [ edit ] Film [ edit ] Year We’ve got one of two options," I said. "We have either got the scoop of the tour and we go with it, but never get any assistance getting access to England players ever again. Or we phone up the England media team, tell them there’s a s---storm coming their way, give them the number of this guy and tell them: 'It's over to you.'" Martin was then the primary presenter for the BT World Wheelchair Rugby Challenge 2015, which was broadcast live on ITV.Martin is also well known for serving as the body and stunt double of the much-loved giant Rubeus Hagrid, played by Robbie Coltrane, in the entire Harry Potter franchise. He has also appeared as a Cyclops in the film Wrath of the Titans!

Bayfield’s burning passion for the game is a central theme to his new autobiography. There are anecdotes aplenty of his time with the Met Police, Bedford Blues and Northampton Saints as well as England, including two Grand Slam campaigns, the Lions and the 1995 World Cup. Martin is actively involved with charities; he is the Honorary President of the Wooden Spoon Society, a rugby charity that supports disadvantaged children and young people, as well as Vice President of London Playing Fields Foundation. After-Dinner Speaker Martin Bayfield: Bayfield would make the jersey his own during the 1992 Five Nations, as England roared to the Grand Slam. Bayfield spent his formative years at Bedford Blues, where under the guidance of New Zealand coach Ian Snook, he broke into the England B team in 1990.That can change. They have to be up there with France as favourites to win a World Cup which is a tag no one in Ireland may want.”