Legends of Rugby Dinner

January 31, 2024 6:00 pm

The winning combination of music and rugby returns for the 29th year on Wednesday 31st January 2024 for the Legends of Rugby Dinner in aid of Nordoff and Robbins. Guests will be treated to another glittering and magnificent night of entertainment, so synonymous with this long-standing and ever-popular dinner.

Over 50 current and former Rugby internationals will come together to celebrate the life and pay tribute to Paul Rendall and honour the esteemed rugby career of Sarah Hunter, whilst being entertained with live musical acts and raising valuable funds for the extraordinary work of Nordoff and Robbins. The acts are yet to be announced but previous years have seen performances from Dua Lipa, Texas, KT Tunstall, Madness, Stereophonics, Keane, Roachford, Mica Paris and the list goes on.

The evening continues with the legendary and infamous Afterparty at the Karma Sanctum Soho Hotel with the players.  This is a night not to be missed!

In memory of  Paul “Judge” Rendall.

Paul passed away on 13^th June 2023 after a battle with Motor Neurone Disease. He was a loyal supporter of the Legends of Rugby Dinner and he did not miss a year since the event was established in 1995. A wonderful and kind man who always pitched up to celebrate the careers of successful England rugby players and champion the incredible work of Nordoff and Robbins.

The Wasps legend made his England debut against Wales in 1984, the first of 28 caps which included playing in the inaugural Rugby World Cup in 1987 and the 1991 Rugby World Cup. He was part of England’s 1991 Grand Slam-winning team. Affectionately nicknamed the Judge, a role he played with great aplomb during various on-tour Kangaroo court sessions and many raucous Front Row Union Club (FRUC) events of which he was a founder member with Brian Moore and Jeff Probyn. Paul went to coach Bracknell RFC from 1991 to 2002, where he is still highly respected. In 2011 he joined his childhood club, Slough as Director of Rugby.

Sarah Hunter CBE

Red Rose Captain Sarah Hunter is England Rugby’s most capped player with 141 caps, making her England debut in 2007 and retiring in style on her home turf at Newcastle as the Red Roses thrashed Scotland 58-7 in the opening 2023 6 Nations game.  Hunter was part of the 2014 Rugby World Cup winning team and was part of the sides beaten in the 2017 and 2022 finals. She has also won 10 Six Nations titles, nine Grand Slams and led the side to their record-breaking 30-match winning streak. Sarah was named World Rugby Women’s Player of the Year in 2016

Nordoff and Robbins

Nordoff and Robbins is the largest independent music therapy charity in the UK, dedicated to enriching the lives of people affected by life-limiting illnesses, isolation or disability. They reach thousands of vulnerable people through their bases across the UK, and by working in partnership with organisations including care homes, schools and hospitals. Its expert music therapists can help people with dementia to reconnect with family members, help a child with autism speak for the first time and give those struggling with their mental health – moments of peace and joy. That’s the power of music therapy.