Christopher Graham Rowntree was born in Stockton-on-Tees on 18 April 1971 and educated at John Cleveland College, Hinckley. After initially playing senior rugby for Nuneaton, he joined Leicester and in 17 seasons from 1990 played 398 games at prop for the Tigers. Between 1995 and 2006 he gained 54 caps for England. He twice toured with the British Isles - to South Africa in 1997 where he played in six games and scored one try and New Zealand in 2005 where his six appearances included two tests. In 2002 he played for England against the Barbarians. In 2007 Graham Rowntree joined the England coaching staff and also was forwards' coach on the 2009 British Isles' tour to South Africa.