TNT Sports to show Unbreakable: England 2003 on World Cup win and ‘untold stories of life since’

TNT Sports has announced the release of Unbreakable: England 2003, a documentary telling the story of the 2003 Rugby World Cup-winning team and the off-the-field challenges the players have faced since retiring.

Unbreakable: England 2003 tells the story of England’s World Cup winners in their own words, as Phil Vickery catches up with former teammates Steve Thompson, Trevor Woodman, Ben Cohen and Lewis Moody on the lesser-known emotional, physical and financial struggles that some members of the squad have faced in retirement.

The revelatory film uses unseen archive footage and features contributions from Martin Johnson, Lawrence Dallaglio, Jonny Wilkinson, Paul Grayson and Jason Robinson, reflecting on the journey from rugby’s transition into the professional era, winning their sport’s highest honour and the unforeseen challenges that some have faced after leaving the game.

The hard-hitting documentary, commissioned by TNT Sports and produced by Buzz 16, sits alongside the launch of the 03 Champions campaign, which aims to support those in need from the 03 team, and future rugby players as they initially transition away from the sport. 

In November 2023, England’s 2003 Rugby World Cup squad reunited to celebrate the 20-year anniversary of their historic win.

Alongside the reminiscing, camaraderie and banter, it became apparent that some of the squad had left their playing careers and sense of identity behind, without any support for the physical, mental, and financial challenges they faced in starting their new lives.

Following the reunion, the squad realised that there was an opportunity to help each other by developing a network of support for those in need, leading to the creation of the 03 Champions campaign.

The initiative also aims to help with the transition from professional rugby into civilian life, addressing the challenges faced by retiring players. Their mission is to facilitate pathways into employment, education, and mental health support, using their experiences to create a better future for the next generation of retiring players.

Scott Young, Group SVP Content, Production and Business Operations, WBD Sport Europe said: “England’s 2003 Rugby World Cup squad are a part of this country’s sporting history and we are honoured to be able to tell their story in this film.

“Whilst their accolades on the pitch are well-documented, there is another chapter of their story untold, hidden struggles which have affected some of the team and which are all too often common to those who after reaching the pinnacle of their game are not equipped for the challenges of life after retirement.

“We are proud to support the team in shining a light on this significant issue and the measures this iconic team are taking to support each other through the 03 Champions campaign.

“We are delighted to be able to make this moving and eye-opening documentary available to all audiences across free-to-air, linear and streaming, adding to our exclusively live rugby as we reach the end of our first season broadcasting the Autumn Nations Series.”

Phil Vickery, on behalf of 03 Champions, said: “Winning the World Cup in 2003 was an amazing experience for a team of 31 men who gave everything they had to achieve rugby’s greatest accolade. This squad know the cost and sacrifice it takes to win a World Cup, however 20 years on, many of the squad are struggling and twenty years on we are only now truly opening up to each other.

“It’s been an emotional journey and we are coming together once again to support one another and to use our own experiences for the good of retiring rugby players in the future. This documentary charts the amazing highs, the untold stories of what it took and life since. It’s an emotional watch and we hope that rugby fans will tune in to watch this unique insight into the 2003 World Cup squad.”