Jon Callard

Who is Jon Callard?

Jonathan Edward Brooks Callard is a coach at the Rugby Football Union's National Academy. He formerly played rugby union at fullback for Bath and England. He is the brother of ex-Newport RFC player Nigel Callard.

Callard taught physical education classes and sports classes at Downside School in the early to mid-1990s. He also taught Biology to younger students.

Callard joined Bath from Newport in 1989. In November 1993 he made his international debut for England against the All Blacks, which saw England cause a minor upset, winning 15-9. Callard enjoyed a fine debut, scoring 12 points via 4 successful penalties. In February 1994, on his 2nd appearance for England, Callard was again the hero in the controversial 1994 Five Nations Championship match between Scotland and England at the newly rebuilt Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh.

He kicked all of England's points from 5 penalties, in a closely fought match, as England narrowly beat Scotland 15-14. The winning penalty came deep into stoppage time at the end of the match, when the referee erroneously gave a penalty against Scotland in the final climactic tussle for possession.