Ryan Wilson (rugby union)

Ryan Wilson
Wilson in 2017
Birth nameRyan Wilson
Date of birth (1989-05-18) 18 May 1989 (age 35)
Place of birthAldershot, England
Height1.91 m (6 ft 3 in)
Weight105 kg (16 st 7 lb; 231 lb)
SchoolLord Wandsworth College
Frensham Heights School
Rugby union career
Position(s) Number 8, Flanker
Amateur team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
Moseley ()
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2010–23 Glasgow Warriors 222 (50)
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2009 Scotland U20 5 (0)
2011– Scotland A 1
2013–2020 Scotland 50 (0)
Correct as of 25 September 2021

Ryan Wilson (born 18 May 1989) is an English rugby union player. He played for Glasgow Warriors as a loose forward. Born in Aldershot in England, he qualifies for Scotland through his maternal grandparents. He made his debut for Scotland in 2013 and has won 50 caps. He is a double centurion for Glasgow Warriors with 222 caps.

Rugby Union career

Amateur career

Wilson attended Frensham Heights School in Surrey, a private secondary school that did not field a rugby union team. During his time at Frensham, Wilson proved to be adept at football, and played in the school's first XI for two years.[1]

Having played mini and junior rugby at Farnham RUFC in Surrey, he spent a 'happy year' at Moseley.[2]

Wilson was drafted to Marr in the Scottish Premiership for the 2017–18 season.[3] He was drafted to Stirling County for the 2018–19 season.[4]

Professional career

Wilson joined Glasgow Warriors from Moseley in 2010.[1] He made his competitive debut against Leinster at Firhill Stadium on 3 September 2010. The Warriors won the match 22-19. He became Glasgow Warrior No. 183. He was part of the side that won the 2015 Pro12. He was made captain of the club for the 2017–18 season.[5]

He then co-captained the side, first with Callum Gibbins, and then with Fraser Brown. Wilson won the Al Kellock Leadership award three times; in season 2018-19 and again in 2019-20 and 2020-21. He won Warrior of the month in December 2021; and won the Players' Player of the Season award in the 2020-21 season. He was released by the club in the summer of 2023. Wilson said:[6]

I’m so proud to have had the opportunity to represent this club. We’ve been so lucky to have some unbelievable players come through, but some even better men. I’ve been through some very low lows and some exceptional highs, and I’m incredibly thankful to have had Bex and the kids with me through them all. Winning the title is definitely right up there with the greatest memories in my time here. It had been such a massive journey to get to that point – make the semis but lose, then make the semis and win, then the final in Dublin that we lost, then finally the semi-final win over Ulster and that final victory over Munster in 2015. Everything clicked that day. I’ll never forget it. If people look back and realise how much I’ve poured into the jersey every time, then I’ll be a happy man.

International career

Wilson represented Scotland A, Scotland under-20 and Scotland under-19.Wilson was also capped 50 times for the Scotland National team.[7]

Wilson was involved in an incident in the tunnel before the England vs Scotland match on Saturday 24 February 2018.[8]

Assault conviction

Wilson was convicted of assault in 2015. He punched Glasgow Hawks player Ally Maclay while dressed as Batman, leaving Maclay with a fractured eye socket.[9] He was suspended by the Scottish Rugby Union for three months.

References

  1. ^ a b "Glasgow Warriors: Ryan Wilson". www.glasgowwarriors.com. Archived from the original on 28 April 2019. Retrieved 2 September 2017.
  2. ^ Dick, Brian (17 January 2013). "Former Moseley No.8 Ryan Wilson eyes a Twickenham Six Nations showdown". Business Live. Archived from the original on 1 March 2017. Retrieved 2 February 2014.
  3. ^ "Glasgow Warriors: Pro-player draft". www.glasgowwarriors.com. Archived from the original on 2 September 2018. Retrieved 2 September 2017.
  4. ^ "Tennent's Premiership clubs decide pro-player draft". Scottish Rugby Union.[permanent dead link‍]
  5. ^ "Glasgow Warriors: Ryan Wilson to skipper Glasgow". www.glasgowwarriors.com. Archived from the original on 2 September 2017. Retrieved 2 September 2017.
  6. ^ "Ryan Wilson to leave Glasgow Warriors". 10 April 2023.
  7. ^ "Ryan Wilson Scottish rugby profile". Archived from the original on 8 March 2013. Retrieved 26 October 2012.
  8. ^ "Ryan Wilson cleared to play for Scotland after citing is not upheld". givemesport.com. Archived from the original on 7 March 2019. Retrieved 1 March 2018.
  9. ^ Cooney, Darren (4 February 2015). "Scotland rugby star Ryan Wilson hit with three-month ban for assault". dailyrecord. Archived from the original on 14 April 2018. Retrieved 27 February 2018.