What was the best moment of your career?

My debut for England. I was one of seven new caps up against a Welsh side filled with Lions players. The press heavily criticised my selection as I was only 21 and I was picked at centre despite having played fly-half since I was seven. With my first touch I intercepted a grubber kick and put Jim Roberts through for England’s first try for over two years. But the real hero that day was Richard Sharpe, who was immense, and he’s been dining out on that match ever since. My other great moment has to be the second Lions Test against Australia on the 1966 tour. We had won the first 11-8 but in Brisbane everything clicked and we won 31-0. Before the game the stadium had been packed but by the final whistle it was near empty – there was no better sight for an Englishman.

What was the worst moment of your career?

This also came on the Lions 1966 tour when, after playing six consecutive Tests for the Lions, including all four Tests on the 1962 South African tour, I damaged two discs in my neck, which effectively brought about the beginning of the end of my playing career. Nobody thought that the injury was serious at the time and I played two more matches before the end of the tour. The extent of the injury wasn’t discovered until I had an x-ray back home after the tour was over.

Who was the best player you played with?

I didn’t play that much with him but Mike Gibson, the man who I lost my Test place to on the 1966 tour, was exceptional. The other player I always really enjoyed playing with was Richard Sharpe, who I made my England debut with back in 1960 and we’re still in touch now.

Who was the best player you played against?

John Gainsford, who I had to mark in four matches on the 1962 Lions tour. He was a formidable opponent and a great man off the field.

What was the best thing about playing rugby in your era?

Probably that it never seemed as important as it seems to be now. Some wonderful friendships were made on our overseas tours, the conditions were never easy and those tours provided a chance to bond. I played alongside Jim Roberts – who is in his eighties now – and all these years later we’re still great friends.

And the worst thing about playing then?

The horrific injuries. A lot is made of the injuries suffered by players today but when I played there were no replacements, no neutral referees, no TV cameras or citing panels to protect the players, something the New Zealanders and South Africans especially took full advantage of – they were never afraid of taking a man or two out of the game. And the medical treatment just wasn’t the same, we didn’t even have a physio with us on the Lions tours and now I’m suffering from the legacy of my injuries: damaged disc, broken leg and ruined knee.

Who is the best player today?

I have always liked goal-kickers. When I played, and then later when I was an England selector and manager, we really suffered from not having a reliable goal-kicker and lost a lot of matches, so I think I would have to go for a fully fit Jonny Wilkinson.

Who was the best coach you worked with?

I had three great coaches during my playing days but the first big influence on my career was my coach at school, Charlie Adamson. He was a great reader of the game and as a young stand-off he passed on his vision of the game to me.

Which was the worst venue you played at?

It has to be Murrayfield. I never liked playing there as it was always wet, miserable and windy, horrible conditions to try to play rugby in.

AND NOW?

I qualified as a chartered surveyor while I was still playing and set up an estate agency, which I sold in 1988. After a stint as an England selector and manager, I have been managing a property portfolio in the northeast, which includes renting houses to Durham University students. I also served a term as High Sheriff of Durham.