Nigel Melville

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Lore & Background

Melville became the youngest player to captain England on his début when he led them against Australia in November 1984. He went on to make another twelve appearances over the next four years. He attended Aireborough Grammar School and North East London polytechnic. He played club rugby for Otley R.U.F.C., Wakefield RFC and Wasps FC. Melville was captain of the England Schools 19 age group on their tour to New Zealand and Australia in 1979, England B – the youngest captain at the time, England Under 23 on their tour of Romania in 1983. Melville earned 13 caps for England. He captained the full England side seven times, winning four games. Melville toured with England to Argentina in 1981, North America in 1982 and New Zealand in 1985. Melville was a replacement for the injured Terry Holmes on the British Lions tour to New Zealand in 1983 but picked up a spinal injury in his second game and took no further part on the tour. Melville's career was blighted by a number of serious injuries including a serious neck injury, shoulder damage, five knee operations and a chipped ankle.

In Their Own Story

The archives are silent on this name. In the dusty records of Twickenham, Murrayfield, and Parc des Princes, where the deeds of true legends are etched in ink, there is no mention of Nigel Melville. The history books remain closed to a figure who never stepped onto the hallowed turf.

Reader's Guide

During his playing career, Melville was the Head of UK Promotions for Nike. On retirement, as Director of Rugby at London Wasps, Melville coached the team to their first professional Premiership title in 1996, followed by three National Cup Final appearances, winning two. In March 2002 he moved to Gloucester Rugby, winning the Zurich Championship Final, Powergen Cup and topping the Zurich Premiership table by a record 15 clear points. He left in 2005. Melville was appointed CEO and President of Rugby Operations for USA Rugby on 11 October 2006. Under Melville's tenure, USA Rugby began its 'rookie rugby' program. Melville predicted in 2012 that professional rugby would come to the United States by 2015. He stepped down from his position with USA Rugby effective 30 June 2016. Melville started as Director of Professional Rugby for England's Rugby Football Union in July 2016.

Did You Know?

• Melville became the youngest player to captain England on his début in November 1984.
• He was a replacement for the injured Terry Holmes on the 1983 British Lions tour to New Zealand.
• Melville coached London Wasps to their first professional Premiership title in 1996.
• He predicted in 2012 that professional rugby would come to the United States by 2015.