Educated at Hitchin Boys High School, and later at Brunel University, he was part of the England Schools team that won the Grand Slam in 1994-5 and joined London Wasps from Welwyn Garden City RFC at 16.

A utility back row able to play in all three positions, Joe has played in three Rugby World Cups, having made his test debut in the 1999 pool match against Tonga at Twickenham.

A member of the 2003 RWC winning squad, he started the 2007 pool games against USA and Samoa and came on against Australia, France and in the final with South Africa.

He has made more than 240 first team appearances and is a triple winner of the Premiership, a double winner of the Heineken Cup, and he also has a 2006 Powergen Cup winner’s medal.

He made his third World Cup in 2007, making five appearances including a replacement bow in the final loss to South Africa. He toured New Zealand with England in the summer of 2008 before winning a call-up into their squad for the 2009 Six Nations.