Nick Kennedy
A towering lineout specialist whose intelligence and leadership defined London Irish and earned him a place in the England squad.
Born 1981 (age 45)·England international rugby union player·Birthday: August 19·Millennials
Biography
Nick Kennedy's rugby story is one of loyalty and technical mastery. For over a decade, the 6'8" lock was the intellectual and physical cornerstone of the London Irish lineout, a set-piece strategist who read the game with a scholar's eye. His career was almost entirely devoted to the Exiles, where he progressed from academy prospect to club captain and finally to Director of Rugby, embodying the club's identity. His athleticism and game intelligence did not go unnoticed, leading to England caps during a period of fierce competition in the second row. After a brief, trophy-laden stint with Toulon, he returned to London Irish in a leadership capacity, aiming to rebuild the club he loved before eventually stepping away from the administrative role.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Nick was born in 1981, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Nick Was Born
The biggest hits of 1981
#1 Movie
Raiders of the Lost Ark
Best Picture
Chariots of Fire
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Nick's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1981Born
MTV launches; first Space Shuttle flight; AIDS identified
Gas: $1.31/galHome: $52,300Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Bette Davis Eyes" — Kim CarnesBest Picture: Chariots of Fire
1986Started school
Challenger disaster; Chernobyl nuclear meltdown
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $66,600Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"That's What Friends Are For" — Dionne & FriendsBest Picture: Platoon
1994Became a teenager
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
1997Could drive
Princess Diana dies in Paris car crash; Harry Potter published
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $104,100Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Candle in the Wind 1997" — Elton JohnBest Picture: Titanic
1999Could vote
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2002Turned 21
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2011Turned 30
Osama bin Laden killed; Arab Spring sweeps the Middle East
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $138,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Rolling in the Deep" — AdeleBest Picture: The Artist
2021Turned 40
January 6 Capitol breach; COVID vaccines roll out globally
Gas: $3.01/galHome: $298,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Levitating" — Dua LipaBest Picture: CODA
2026Age 45 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Earned multiple caps for the England national rugby union team.
- Served as Captain and later Director of Rugby for London Irish, his long-time club.
- Won the European Rugby Challenge Cup with RC Toulon in 2013.
- Played over 150 Premiership games for London Irish, becoming a club stalwart.
Did You Know?
He studied Sports Science at St. Mary's University College, Twickenham.
He is the son of former London Irish and England B lock Stewart Kennedy.
After retiring, he worked as a rugby analyst for television broadcasts.
“A lineout is a chess match played at full speed in the mud.”
