Craig Mitchell (rugby union)
Craig Mitchell (born 3 May 1986) is a Wales international rugby union player. He previously played for Aviva Premiership side Exeter Chiefs.[1] He subsequently joined Newport Gwent Dragons and he was released at the end of the 2016–17 season.
| Birth name | Craig Mitchell | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Date of birth | 3 May 1976 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Neath, Wales | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 185 cm (6 ft 1 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 119 kg (18 st 10 lb; 262 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | Dwr-y-Felin Comprehensive School | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Mitchell's position of choice is as a prop.
It was announced by Exeter Chiefs on 21 January 2014 that Mitchell will be leaving the Chiefs to join Welsh side Cardiff Blues on a three-year deal.[2]
International career
Tight-head prop Mitchell previously played for the Ospreys in South Wales. He made his first appearance for the region as a teenager. In international rugby he has earned caps for Wales at U16, U18, U19 and U21 levels; he has captained the U19 squad. During the Wales 2009 Summer Tour to America and Canada Michell earned two senior caps for his country, both as a replacement.
Following his introduction into the Welsh set up in the summer of 2009, Mitchell was selected as the only specialist tight-head in Warren Gatland autumn test squad, however despite his specialist knowledge in the position, fellow Osprey player Paul James was selected to start against New Zealand in the No.3 spot and has held the spot for several international tests since. Mitchell did feature during the autumn, earning his third international Welsh cap coming on as a replacement against Samoa
Although not selected in the touring squad for the 2010 summer trip to New Zealand (And warm up test against South Africa at Home), Mitchell was chosen as a stand-by player (the only prop on stand-by).
Controversy
It was announced on 27 June 2013 that Mitchell had been arrested in Brisbane, Australia following the Lions first test against Australia on 22 June. Mitchell who had been in Australia as a fan admitted assault occasioning bodily harm with a circumstance of aggravation (being he was in company) after hitting Cian Barry at the Red Hill pub in Brisbane.[3][4] Mitchell was sentenced to six months' imprisonment wholly suspended for two years, fined A$1,800 and ordered to pay A$3,000 in compensation to the victim.[5] In court Mitchell described his actions as "My actions... were totally unacceptable and unforgivable."[6]
External links
References
- "Mitchell signs for Chiefs". Exeter Chiefs Official Website. 23 May 2011. Archived from the original on 30 September 2011.
- Stevens, Mark. "Mitchell to leave the Chiefs". Exeter Chiefs. Archived from the original on 1 February 2014. Retrieved 21 January 2014.
- BROOKE, BASKIN. "Welsh prop Craig Mitchell knocks out Brisbane lawyer at Normanby Hotel". The Australian. Retrieved 27 June 2013.
- "Mitchell arrested in Brisbane". Planetrugby.com. Archived from the original on 29 June 2013. Retrieved 27 June 2013.
- "Welsh prop should have been jailed: victim". Brisbane Times. Retrieved 28 June 2013.
- "Wales Rugby prop Craig Mitchell's Brisbane bar assault sentence". BBC Wales. Retrieved 28 June 2013.