The path to the World Cup
Will was born in Blackburn, Lancashire, the son of former England Captain and England Head Coach Dick Greenwood. He spent his early childhood in Italy as his father moved there to teach and to play Rugby in Rome.
Will moved back to Lancashire and won a sports bursary to Sedbergh School and went on to represent Lancashire Schools at both Rugby and Cricket.
From Sedbergh to Durham University, Will graduated in 1994 with a degree in Economics and moved to London to work as a trader at Midland Global Markets (now HSBC). In those days Rugby Union was still an amateur game and like a few others in the City, he made his way down to Harlequins in the evenings to train and played on the weekends. At the end of the season, he made the England 'A' side touring with them to Australia.
In 1996, Will started his professional career at Leicester assisting them in their victory in the Pilkington Cup and reaching the final of the European Cup. He was subsequently selected for the British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa. The Lions triumphed over the then current World Champions. However, he might be more well-known for being laid out unconscious after an awkward tackle. The collision caused him to swallow his tongue and stop breathing for several minutes.
The 1997/98 season saw Will make his full debut under Clive Woodward for England against Australia in an autumn series of internationals. Despite missing virtually the whole of the 1998/99 season, he was selected for the 1999 Rugby World Cup and played his part although England were to lose to South Africa and the boot of Jannie De Beer.
At the start of the 2000/01 season, Will moved back to Harlequins after four years at Leicester and he was a key figure in helping the club to reach the final of Tetley's Bitter Cup and claim victory over Narbonne in the final of the European Shield.
The highlight of Will's career was undoubtedly the 2003 season which was dominated by the Rugby World Cup in Australia. His crucial tries against South Africa and Wales saw England through those difficult rounds but his celebrations were cut short by the news that his wife Caro was having problems with her pregnancy. Will rushed back to London but all was well and he returned to help England win the World Cup by 20-17 against Australia on that memorable November day in Sydney. He finished the tournament joint top try scorer with five to his name.
Will's son Archie was born in 2004 and he continued to represent England being made vice captain under Lawrence Dallaglio for the 2004 Six Nations tournament. He reached the 50 cap landmark against Ireland and played in all of England's Six Nations matches. At the start of the 2004/5 season he stood on 30 tries. He was the top try scorer in the Six Nations for the past two years, using his innate ability to spot a weakness in midfield. He won the last of 55 England caps against Australia in 2004.
In 2005 Will was injured for the Six Nations, but was selected for the British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand, his third Lions tour. He replaced Brian O'Driscoll just two minutes into the first test against New Zealand and also played in the third test.
Will's daughter Matilda was born in April 2006 and at the end of that season after 55 England rugby union caps and 31 tries he announced his retirement aged 33.