Michael Robert Hall was born in Bridgend on 13 October 1965 and educated at Brynteg Comprehensive School, Cardiff University and Cambridge University where he gained Blues in 1987 and 1988. He qualified as a chartered surveyor and later became a property developer. He played at centre for Maesteg, Bridgend and Cardiff, where he was club captain for two seasons between 1993 and 1995. He played 197 games and scored 78 tries for Cardiff. Between 1988 and 1995 he played 42 internationals for Wales, scored seven tries, and was captain in the 1995 Rugby World Cup. On the 1989 British Isles tour of Australia he played in six matches, including the first test. Mike Hall captained the Barbarians against Newport in 1993.