William Blackledge Beaumont was born in Chorley on 9 March 1952 and played his club rugby for Fylde and county rugby for Lancashire. A formidable lock forward, he captained England in 21 of his 34 internationals, including the Five Nations' grand slam in 1980.In the same year he led the British & Irish Lions on their tour of South Africa. He first played for the Barbarians in 1975 and became a popular Club member, going on six Easter tours, was in the XV against New Zealand in 1978 and eventually captained the side five times in 15 appearances. It would have been six in 16 games but the fixture against Australia in Cardiff in 1982 was postponed following a heavy snowfall. In an administrative capacity Bill Beaumont represented England on the International Rugby Board and in 2005 was tour manager for the Lions in New Zealand. Two of his sons, Sam and Josh, played for the Barbarians in 2010.