Rio Dyer

Rio Dyer (born 21 December 1999) is a Welsh professional rugby union player who primarily plays wing for Dragons in the United Rugby Championship. He has also represented Wales at international level, having made his test debut against New Zealand during the 2022 Autumn Internationals.

Rio Dyer
Date of birth (1999-12-21) 21 December 1999
Place of birthNewport, Wales
Height186 cm (6 ft 1 in)
Weight84 kg (185 lb; 13 st 3 lb)
SchoolBassaleg School
Rugby union career
Position(s) Wing
Current team Dragons
Youth career
Risca RFC, Pill Harriers RFC, NHSOB RFC
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2018– Dragons 47 (75)
Correct as of 15 September 2023
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2018–2019 Wales U20 7 (10)
2022– Wales 14 (20)
Correct as of 15 September 2023
National sevens team(s)
Years Team Comps
2019–2020 Wales 6
Correct as of 11 February 2023

Club career

Dyer began his career playing for the Risca RFC and Pill Harriers RFC youth sides, as well as for Newport High School Old Boys RFC.[1]

While part of the Dragons Academy, Dyer made his professional debut on 27 January 2018, against the Saracens in the Anglo-Welsh Cup.[2] His first appearance in the Pro14 came against Benetton Rugby the following month.[3]

Dyer was named man of the match on 4 January 2020, as the Dragons beat regional rivals Ospreys 25–18, Dyer scoring a try in the victory.[4]

On 23 October 2022, Dyer again claimed a man of the match award against the Ospreys, scoring twice and propelling the Dragons to a 32–25 win.[5]

International career

Dyer was a Wales U20 international.[6] He missed the 2019 Six Nations Under 20s Championship to participate in the World Rugby Sevens Series, but rejoined the U20 side for the 2019 World Rugby Under 20 Championship.[7]

On 18 October 2022, Dyer was named in the Wales squad for the 2022 Autumn series.[8] Dyer started against New Zealand on 5 November 2022, and scored the first try for Wales.[9]

Dyer scored his second try for Wales in the final match of the series, a loss against Australia.[10]

Owing to his continued good form, Dyer continued his involvement with the national side, being named in the Welsh squad for the 2023 Six Nations Championship.[11] Dyer started the first two matches against Ireland and Scotland, but was dropped for the match against England, following Louis Rees-Zammit returning to fitness.

Recalled to the starting team against Italy, he scored his third try for Wales, and secured his first win for the national side.[12] The following week Dyer scored again, against France, securing a try bonus point for Wales as they avoided a wooden spoon finish.[13]

International tries
TryOpponentLocationVenueCompetitionDateResult
1 New ZealandCardiff, WalesMillennium Stadium2022 Autumn Internationals5 November 2022Loss
2 AustraliaCardiff, WalesMillennium Stadium2022 Autumn Internationals26 November 2022Loss
3 ItalyRome, ItalyStadio Olimpico2023 Six Nations11 March 2023Win
4 FranceSaint-Denis, FranceStade de France2023 Six Nations18 March 2023Loss

References
  1. "Teenage speedster Dyer aiming to build on Dragons debut against Euro champs". South Wales Argus. 29 January 2018. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
  2. Sands, Katie (27 April 2021). "New kid Rio Dyer is already one of Wales' fastest players as excitement grows". WalesOnline. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  3. "Dragons 15-18 Benetton Rugby". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  4. "Dragons inflict more misery on Ospreys". BBC Sport. Retrieved 23 January 2023.
  5. "Dyer double gives Dragons Welsh bragging rights". rugby365.com. Retrieved 23 January 2023.
  6. "Wales name squad for U20 World Championships". itv. 10 May 2018. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
  7. worldrugby.org. "Strong sevens influence in Wales U20 Championship squad | World Rugby". www.world.rugby. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  8. "Wales autumn rugby squad announcement as Wayne Pivac names five uncapped players". Wales Online. 18 October 2022. Retrieved 20 October 2022.
  9. "Wales v New Zealand Live: Score updates as Justin Tipuric and Rio Dyer claim tries". Wales Online. 5 November 2022. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
  10. "Wales 34-39 Australia: Autumn Nations Series – as it happened". the Guardian. 26 November 2022. Retrieved 23 January 2023.
  11. "Owens captains new 37-man Wales squad - Welsh Rugby Union". Welsh Rugby Union | Wales & Regions. 17 January 2023. Retrieved 23 January 2023.
  12. "Wales secure bonus-point win against Italy in Rome". BBC Sport. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
  13. "France beat Wales but Six Nations hopes dashed". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
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