George Gregan’s record speaks for itself. The legendary Australian scrum-half exited the international stage after the 2007 Rugby World Cup quarter-final loss to England as the most-capped player in the history of the game, with 139 Tests to his credit. He has also played in more World Cups than any other player and captained Australia more than anyone else, after he took over in 2001.

One of Australia’s best-known sportsmen, Gregan was born in Zambia, of a Zambian mother and Australian father. A determined competitor, Gregan as has been a thorn in opposition sides since his debut in 1994 and there has been no scrum-half like him since.

Gregan made his debut at the age of 21 when Australian coach Bob Dwyer picked him against Italy at Brisbane but Gregan turned in his first memorable role a couple months later, against New Zealand in the Bledisloe Cup in Sydney. All Black winger Jeff Wilson was about to complete what seemed a certain match-winning try when Gregan brilliantly tackled him from the left; the move proved critical as the Wallabies held onto their slim lead and won the match 20-16. It catapulted him onto the big stage and is remembered as one of the greatest moments in the Wallabies-All Blacks rivalry.

After the 1995 World Cup Gregan began to merge into a stellar player for the ACT Brumbies franchise. He continued to shine with the Wallabies, and played in three of their four games in the first-ever Tri-Nations Series, which included New Zealand and South Africa.

Appointed Australian vice-captain in 1997, Gregan continued to impress but Australia won just one game at that year’s edition of the Tri-Nations and finished at the bottom of the table. Over the next two seasons Gregan’s stock rose – despite injury disrupting his 1998 Super 12 involvement - and the Wallabies went into the 1999 World Cup as one of the top teams. Australia soared through the initial stages and were given a rousing display by Gregan in the quarter-finals against Wales as he scored a try and took the scoring pass. The Wallabies beat South Africa next became two-time World Cup winners after beating France 35-12 in the final.In September 2001, after leading the Brumbies to a magnificent victory in the Super 12 competition, he succeeded John Eales as captain the Wallabies. Gregan broke Jason Leonard's record of 119 caps to become the most-capped player of all time (120 caps) in 2006 when he came off the bench against England at the Telstra Dome.

Aside from the 1999 World Cup the Canberra-raised Gregan has also enjoyed a series of Bledisloe Cup victories and much success with the Brumbies, having taken out Super 12 titles in 2001 and 2004.

Gregan played his last home game with the Brumbies in April 2007, leading his team to a win over Canterbury, and was sent off with the announcement that a stand at Canberra Stadium is to be named after him and Wallabies team-mate Stephen Larkham. Gregan was selected in Australia’s World Cup side and bid a teary adieu to fans as the Wallabies were knocked out in the quarter-finals by England.

Gregan has already started the post-international phase of his career by turning out for French second division side Toulon. And he did not disappoint in his debut, receiving the biggest cheer when his name was announced before kickoff and in his first match since the World Cup quarter-final, and producing a stellar display at scrum-half.

Off the field, Gregan is actively involved in The George Gregan Foundation, which he and his wife Erica established in August 2005 after their son Max was diagnosed with epilepsy. The Foundation aims to raise funds for specific projects targeting children. He also owns a chain of successful espresso bars in Sydney, known as ‘GG Espresso’.