I certainly look at the modern guys and think they are a different species to when we played. They are fitter and their conditioning is extraordinary.

Prior to their divorce he was romantically linked by some members of the press with Diana Princess of Wales the then wife of Prince Charles. English victories over New Zealand and South Africa in 1993 were perhaps the peak of England's performance under Carling: although for the rest of the year and the next one England reverted to stereotype and under-achieved somewhat. In the run-up to the 1995 World Cup after England returned to form with their third Grand Slam in five years Carling famously described the Rugby Football Union general committee as "57 old farts" which led to his sacking as captain.