Will Skinner (rugby union)

William John Skinner (born 8 February 1984 in Northampton) is an English former rugby union player who played openside flanker for Leicester Tigers and Harlequins.

Will Skinner
Birth nameWilliam Skinner
Date of birth (1984-02-08) 8 February 1984
Place of birthNorthampton, England
Height1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Weight97 kg (15 st 4 lb) [1]
SchoolBedford School
Rugby union career
Position(s) Flanker
Amateur team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
Olney Rugby Club ()
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)

2002–06
2006–13		 Bedford RFC
Leicester Tigers
Harlequins
34
52
(20)
(15)
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2007–08 England Saxons 7 (0)
National sevens team(s)
Years Team Comps
2003 England Brisbane

He began his rugby career at Bedford School before representing England at U-18 and U-21 level. He came through the Leicester Tigers youth setup where many drew comparison between the small (5 ft 11 in (1.80 m), 14 st 3 lb (90.3 kg)), blond, pacy openside and his mentor, Tigers legend Neil Back. Long term injury and lack of versatility however saw him leave Tigers in the summer of 2006 to move to Quins where he linked up with former Tigers' Director of Rugby and back row legend Dean Richards.[2]

Skinner represented the England Sevens team at Brisbane in early 2003.[3] Skinner represented England Saxons at the 2007 Churchill Cup.[4]

Skinner was called into the England Saxons side that defeated Ireland A on 1 February 2008.[5][6][7]

He captained the England Saxons to victory at the 2008 Churchill Cup.[8]

Skinner was the youngest captain in the Guinness Premiership during the 2008–09 season. Will was also the youngest player ever to achieve the 200 appearance mark for Quins and could have gone on to achieve 300 had injury not struck

Injury forced his retirement in 2013.[9]

Today Will enjoys the simple life in Singapore where he lists painting, playing the flute and numerous charity initiatives as his chief interests.

References
  1. "Harlequins biography". web page. Harlequins. 2013. Retrieved 7 July 2013.
  2. "Skinner leaving". BBC. 25 April 2006. Retrieved 2 August 2009.
  3. Starmer-Smith, Nigel (3 February 2003). "Sevens: Sparkling England leave New Zealand and Fiji in their wake". London: Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 2 August 2009.
  4. "England Saxons 17–13 NZ Maori". BBC. 2 June 2007. Retrieved 2 August 2009.
  5. "England Saxons squad for Ireland A match". RFU. 23 January 2008. Retrieved 5 February 2008.
  6. "Varndell shines in Saxons victory". BBC. 2 February 2008. Retrieved 5 February 2008.
  7. "Will Skinner looks towards tonight's clash with Ireland A". Quins. 1 February 2008. Retrieved 5 February 2008.
  8. "England Saxons put Scots to sword to retain Barclays Churchill Cup". RFU. 21 June 2008. Retrieved 2 August 2009.
  9. "Ollie Kohn & Will Skinner: Harlequins duo forced to retire". BBC Sport. 5 July 2013. Retrieved 7 July 2013.


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