Leeds Career

Known to all as Ronnie, Mark was the highest profile English player ever to sign for the club. Mark joined the Tykes in August 2002 from Premiership rivals Bath and quickly became a central figure for the Tykes. He made his debut on the opening day of the 2002-2003 season in a 26-13 win over Leicester Tigers. His first try came during a crucial fight back against London Wasps in 2002 at the Causeway stadium. Leeds eventually drew 27-27 that day after going 21 points behind, Regans 69th minute drive helped push the Tykes to a deserved draw. Since moving to Leeds his displays not only saw him become a crowd favourite but he has also saw a revival in his international career. Mark left the Tykes at the end of the 2004-05 season having helped secure the Tykes Premiership status as well as winning a Powergen Cup winners medal. He played 69 times for the Tykes and scored 6 tries.

Rugby Career

An established member of the England set up, Mark's International break came when he succeeded England's most capped hooker, Brian Moore in 1995 for the visit of South Africa to Twickenham in November. Despite being on the loosing side that day, he retained his place for the 1996 and 1997 Five Nations championships.
Selected for the 1997 British Lions, Mark's rivalry with Keith Wood was legendary. Although he was kept out of the first and second tests by the Irishman, Mark did play in the final test and proved that he could compete on the biggest stage.
One of a number of Lions players to lose form on return from Lions duty, Mark lost his England place to new club mate Andy Long and latterly Richard Cockerill. Worse was still to come as even though he played a major role in Bath's epic Heineken Cup victory over Brive in Bordeaux, the hooker found himself out of favour with England Coach Clive Woodward.
The 1999/2000 saw the reincarnation of Regan the player. Having shed over a stone in weight Mark hit back at critics who believed his throwing in was too inconsistent for international level by turning in some impressive performances for Bath Rugby. A prominent figure in the clubs late season challenge for the Allied Dunbar Premiership, the hooker was voted the Bath Rugby forward of the year.
After two seasons in the international wilderness, Mark returned to the England fold in 2000 as a training squad member and A player. He was finally rewarded for his excellent club form by being picked for the summer tour to South Africa, where he won his 16th cap as a replacement for Phil Greening.
The 2000/01 season was no less emotional or dramatic for the hooker who passed through the whole spectrum of emotions from elation to despair during a campaign that brought his first England start in three years, a daughter, and a snub from the Lions selectors.
The season began well enough. Mark had returned to the England fold on the tour to South Africa in 2000. Mark returned to play some of the best rugby of his career and selection for the autumn internationals followed. Phil Greening's knee and hand injuries opened the door for Mark to take over as England's number one hooker for the Lloyds TSB Six Nations Championship, however Clive Woodward opted for Leicester Tigers Dorian West and Mark was forced to sit on the bench for the majority of the campaign despite scoring his first England try against the Italians at Twickenham.
Immense disappointment for missing out on the lions tour to Austraila during the summer was partly eased with selection for England's summer tour. However, hindered by his injury, Mark struggled to find the outstanding form that had blessed him earlier in the season.
Mark remained part of the England set up for the 2001-2002 season and again went on tour in the Summer to Argentina.
Prior to Bath, Mark also played at his home town club of Bristol.

Personal Details

Mark rates "The Green Mile" and "Gladiator" as his favourite films. The things in life he could least do without are his mobile phone, the sun and his family. His favourite country that he has visited is Canada.