Luke Smith (rugby union)
| Full name | Luke Atholl Smith | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 9 February 1971 | ||
| Place of birth | East London, Eastern Cape, South Africa | ||
| Height | 175 cm (5 ft 9 in) | ||
| Weight | 84 kg (13 st 3 lb)[1] | ||
| School | Dale College Boys' High School | ||
| Rugby union career | |||
| Playing career | |||
| Position | Fly-half | ||
| Professional / senior clubs | |||
| Years | Club / team | Caps | (points) |
| 1998-99 1999-2000 2000 2001-02 |
Glasgow Warriors Racing 92 Rotherham Saracens |
5 5 17 |
(27) (61) (194) |
| Provincial/State sides | |||
| Years | Club / team | Caps | (points) |
| 1998 |
Eastern Province Kings Blue Bulls Sharks (Currie Cup) Border Bulldogs |
||
| Coaching career | |||
| Years | Club / team | ||
| 2013-present | Dale College Boys' High School | ||
Luke Smith (born 9 February 1971 in East London, Eastern Cape, South Africa) is a former professional rugby union player. He played at Fly-half for Glasgow Caledonians, now Glasgow Warriors; as well as Racing 92 and Saracens among others.
He signed for Glasgow in 1998 from Border Bulldogs in South Africa.[2] He was Scottish-Qualified as his grandmother, Rachel Watson, was from Edinburgh.
He made the move in the hope to represent Scotland. He stated: "After being sidelined for two years because of a serious knee injury, I made up my mind to continue my career in Europe. When I told my agent about my family background, he set about getting me fixed up with a Scottish team. The ultimate goal for any player is to play at international level and as soon as I found out that I could be eligible for Scotland, my sights were set."[3]
However, injury prevented him from receiving Scotland 'A'[4] or Scotland 'B' honours[5] and the hope of a Scotland career stalled. He did however represent a combined Scottish Districts side.[6][7][8]
He played two matches in the Heineken Cup for Glasgow; against US Colomiers[9][10] and Pontypridd[11] He also played in the Scottish Inter-District Championship and in that season's WRU Challenge Cup.[12]
He also played for Glasgow in friendlies against touring international sides South Africa[13] and the Māori All Blacks[14] and Fiji[15]
After playing for Glasgow, Smith moved to Racing 92 and then Rotherham[16] He played just 5 matches for Rotherham before signing for Saracens[1]
Smith also played for Mirano Rugby in Italy; and Birmingham & Solihull, Coventry and Esher in England.[5]
Schooled at Dale College Boys' High School in King William's Town, South Africa, Smith has now returned to his former school as Rugby Coach.[5]
References
- 1 2 "Luke Smith - Rugby Union - Players and Officials - ESPN Scrum". ESPN scrum.
- ↑ "Caledonians in line for a South African boost". Herald Scotland.
- ↑ "Luke here - and his target is to gain a Scotland place Caledonians' South African signing could have a chance to wear the dark blue". Herald Scotland.
- ↑ "Stand-off crisis results in the return of Donaldson". Herald Scotland.
- 1 2 3 "Rugby365-Dale's new coach".
- ↑ "Late show from Craig seals impressive win Combined Districts perform well despite injuries and sickness for players". Herald Scotland.
- ↑ "Simpson sends message as Districts score victory". Herald Scotland.
- ↑ http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/12016152.Wainwright_may_retire/
- ↑ "Match Centre - Heineken Cup - ERC - Official Website". ercrugby.com.
- ↑ http://www.calmview.eu/HUBCAT/CalmView/Record.aspx?src=CalmView.Catalog&id=BML%2F5%2F13
- ↑ "Heineken Cup : Player profile".
- ↑ "Match centre". scarlets.co.uk.
- ↑ http://www.calmview.eu/HUBCAT/CalmView/Record.aspx?src=CalmView.Catalog&id=BML%2F2%2F16%2F43
- ↑ "Defeat but no disgrace for Glasgow's Reds". Herald Scotland.
- ↑ "Reds give a green light for Scotland". Herald Scotland.
- ↑ "Vile milestone is bad news for Rotherham". ESPN scrum.