Bill Beaumont was captain of the England rugby union team at a time when they struggled to win games. His greatest moment as captain was the unexpected 1980 grand slam. He played as a lock.

He played 34 times for England (21 as captain). He took part in the 1977 Lions tour of New Zealand after being called up as a replacement. He then captained the 1980 Lions tour of South Africa. He is the tour manager for the 2005 Lions.

After retirement he went on to the quiz show a question of sport.