Paul Mullen (rugby union)

Paul Mullen (born 16 November 1991) is an Irish-American rugby union player who plays prop for the Utah Warriors of Major League Rugby (MLR) and the United States men's national team. Mullen previously played for the Houston SaberCats, the San Diego Legion and the Newcastle Falcons.

This article is about the Irish-born rugby union player. For the English musician, see Paul Mullen.

Paul Mullen
Date of birth (1991-11-16) 16 November 1991
Place of birthInishmore, Ireland
Height1.82 m (6 ft 0 in)
Weight122 kg (19 st 3 lb; 269 lb)
SchoolGlenstal Abbey School
UniversityTexas A&M University
Notable relative(s)Eoin Mullen
Rugby union career
Position(s) Prop
Current team Utah Warriors
Youth career
2008–2009 Munster U18
2009–2010 Munster U19
2010–2011 Munster U20
Amateur team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
– Houston Athletic RC ()
– Galveston RFC ()
Correct as of 13 September 2018
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2018 Houston SaberCats 3 (0)
2018–2019 Newcastle Falcons 1 (0)
2018–2019 Doncaster Knights (loan) 2 (0)
2019 Houston SaberCats 7 (0)
2020 San Diego Legion 5 (0)
2021– Utah Warriors 17 (0)
Correct as of 5 April 2022
Provincial / State sides
Years Team Apps (Points)
2014 Texas Rugby Union All-Stars ()
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2010 Ireland U19
2011 United States U20
2014 Emerging Ireland
2018– United States 23 (0)
Correct as of 3 October 2021

Early life

Mullen is originally from the Aran Islands, County Galway, Ireland.[1] He first played rugby at the age of 13,[2] while attending the Glenstal Abbey School.[1] Mullen played rugby there from 2004 until 2009.[1] Mullen also attended school at The King's Hospital, playing rugby there from 2009 until 2010.[1]

Mullen also played age-grade rugby for Munster before moving to the United States to attend Texas A&M University.[3] There, Mullen earned his bachelor's degree in marine engineering technology in 2015 and his master's degree in marine resources management in 2017.[1] While living in Texas, Mullen played Gaelic Football with the Houston Gaels [4] while at the same time he continued to play amateur rugby and also became a referee with the Texas Rugby Union.[1] He is the brother of Irish racing cyclist Eoin Mullen.[5]

Club career

Mullen signed with the Houston SaberCats for Major League Rugby's inaugural 2018 season.[1] Mullen made his debut with the SaberCats on 19 May 2018, starting at tighthead prop in the SaberCats' 24–20 loss to the New Orleans Gold.[6]

In August 2018, Mullen signed a four-month contract to play for the Newcastle Falcons in England's Premiership Rugby.[7][8]

Following a short stint in England, Mullen signed a one year deal with the Houston Sabercats.

After the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan, Mullen signed for San Diego Legion for the 2020 season.

International career

USA Junior All-Americans

Mullen made his debut representing the United States playing for the United States men's national under-20 team (Junior All-Americans) in the 2011 IRB Junior World Rugby Trophy, scoring a crucial try against Zimbabwe.[1]

USA Eagles

In May 2018, Mullen was selected for the USA Eagles' roster for the 2018 mid-year tests.[9] Mullen made his debut for USA Eagles on 9 June 2018, starting at prop in a 62–13 victory against Russia.[10] Mullen is qualified to represent the United States at the international level on account of having an American grandparent.[11]

Rugby World Cup

Mullen was selected to represent the USA Eagles in the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan. Mullen played in all four pool games against England, France, Argentina and Tonga.

References
  1. "Houston SaberCats & Paul Mullen". DJCoilRugby. 17 February 2018. Retrieved 12 September 2018.
  2. "Paul Mullen". USA Rugby. Retrieved 12 September 2018.
  3. "Ex-Munster prop Mullen and outgoing Ulster stalwart Black a step closer to Test debut with USA". The42.ie. 9 May 2018. Retrieved 9 September 2018.
  4. "THE 42 07.01.18". Houston Sabercats. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
  5. Tracey, Cian (25 October 2019). "Man mountain Mullen takes the road less travelled from Inis Mór". independent.ie. Retrieved 25 October 2019.
  6. "SaberCats stumble in New Orleans". Americas Rugby News. 20 May 2018. Retrieved 13 September 2018.
  7. "Paul Mullen - Newcastle Falcons". Newcastle Falcons. 8 September 2018.
  8. "USA & Houston Sabercats Prop Paul Mullen Signs With Newcastle Falcons". DJCoilRugby. 16 August 2018. Retrieved 13 September 2018.
  9. "Callum Black in Eagles squad for June tests". Americas Rugby News. 8 May 2018. Retrieved 24 May 2018.
  10. "Russia Tour - Commerce City, 9 June 2018, 18:00 local, 00:00 GMT +1d". espn.co.uk. ESPN. 9 June 2018. Retrieved 9 September 2018.
  11. Goff, Alex (12 May 2018). "USA Summer Series: Who Didn't Get Picked By Eagles And Why". FloRugby. FloSports. Retrieved 3 October 2018.
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