Tim Rodber

Saints Number: #1588
Saints Career: 1988-2001
Appearances: 235
Position: Second row, Flanker, Number 8

Representative Honours

England (44 caps)
British & Irish Lions (1997 South Africa)

Hall of Fame

Inducted: 2017

Tim Rodber

Few images capture the spirit of Northampton Saints more vividly than Tim Rodber helping to lift the Heineken Cup in 2000. For many supporters, it remains one of the defining moments in the Club’s history.

Rodber joined Saints in 1988 and became synonymous with the Club throughout the 1990s. Initially developing as a powerful back-row forward before later moving into the second row, he established himself as one of the most influential players of his generation and captained Northampton from 1994/95 until 1998/99.

While major club silverware proved elusive for much of his career, Rodber enjoyed considerable success on the international stage. He made his England debut against Scotland in the 1992 Five Nations Championship and went on to earn 44 caps. He was also part of the England squad that won the inaugural Rugby World Cup Sevens in 1993.

One of the highlights of his Test career came during England’s 1994 tour of South Africa, where he helped inspire a famous 32-15 victory over the Springboks in Pretoria. Journalist Frank Keating described Rodber and his fellow forwards as ‘quite stupendous from first to last’.

Rodber reached another level in 1997 as a member of the victorious British & Irish Lions tour of South Africa. Initially benefitting from injury to Scott Quinnell, he seized his chance and established himself at Number 8, starting the first two Tests that secured a famous series victory. He also captained the Lions in a midweek fixture against Mpumalanga.

Away from rugby, Rodber simultaneously pursued a successful military career. A graduate of Sandhurst, he served as a captain in the Green Howards regiment and remained a serving officer long after rugby entered the professional era.

His greatest Club achievement finally arrived in May 2000 when Northampton defeated Munster to become European champions. As one of the leaders of that team and one of the defining players of his era, Rodber remains a towering figure in Saints history.

Hall of Fame profiles have been researched and compiled, with the Club’s grateful thanks, by the volunteers of Northampton Saints Foundation’s Heritage Department – whose work helps preserve and share the rich history of Northampton Saints.