Duncan Bell (rugby union)

Duncan Stuart Crampton Bell (born 1 October 1974 in King's Lynn, Norfolk) is an English rugby union player currently playing for Lydney Rugby Football Club in the National League 2 South. Educated at Colston's Collegiate School, Bristol, he is an England international with five caps.

Duncan Bell
Birth nameDuncan Stuart Crampton Bell
Date of birth (1974-10-01) 1 October 1974
Place of birthKing's Lynn, Norfolk, England
Height1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
Weight125 kg (19 st 10 lb)[1]
SchoolColston's Collegiate School
ChildrenAbigail Lauren Bell, Jessica Megan Bell, Kayleigh-Jaine Harriet Bell, Ethan Zachary Bell, Zander Eli Bell, Seren Alexa Bell
Rugby union career
Position(s) Prop
Current team Newport Gwent Dragons
Youth career

1994		 Bath
NEC Harlequins
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
1996
1997-1999
2001-2003
2003-2012
2014		 Ebbw Vale
Sale Sharks
Pontypridd
Bath
NG Dragons
Lydney
109
65
207
9
4
(20)
(65)
(35)
(0)
(5)
Correct as of 5 July 2014
National team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
2005
2005-2009		 England A
England
5
(0)
Correct as of 5 July 2014

Born in Norfolk, Bell was raised in the South Gloucestershire village of Hawkesbury Upton.[2] He attended Colston's Collegiate School with Chris Taylor the Gloucestershire cricketer with whom he shares a great friendship. Bell first played rugby for Bath Minis[2] and later for Bristol U17's and colts whilst attending Colston's Collegiate school.

Club career

Bell had joined NEC Harlequins, but was unable to win a professional contract.[2] Bell then spent a season with Ebbw Vale, prior to a four-year spell with Sale.[3]

He made the move to Pontypridd in 2001.[4] During his time at the club, Bell won the 2002 Principality Cup[5] and was a finalist in the 2002 Parker Pen Shield.[6]

In 2003, Bell moved to Bath.[7] Bell played in the final of the 2007–08 European Challenge Cup, as Bath defeated the Worcester Warriors.[8]

In 2012, Bell announced his retirement from rugby at the end of the 2011/2012 season, and announced he was battling depression throughout his career.[9]

In February 2014 Bell came out of retirement to represent Newport Gwent Dragons.[10] making nine appearances that season.[11] For the 2014/2015 season he is playing for Lydney.[11]

International career

Bell was first called up to the England squad in 1998 on the so-called "Tour of Hell".[12] Bell was named on the bench to face Australia,[13] but did not take the field.[14]

Bell was selected for England A in a fixture against France A in 2004, which he snubbed in favour of representing Wales in the future.[15] Due to regulations, Bell was not allowed to join the Welsh summer tour of Argentina,[16] later that year the IRB confirmed he could not represent Wales.[17]

In 2005, Bell played for England A against France A.[18] He was subsequently called up for the senior squad to compete in the 2005 Six Nations,[19] making his England debut against Italy.[20] Bell played in the following fixture against Scotland.[21] Bell was also a member of the 2006 summer tour of Australia.[22]

Due to injuries, Bell was selected for the 2009 Autumn Internationals.[23] Bell featured in all three games, against Australia,[24] Argentina[25] and New Zealand.[26]

References
  1. "Aviva Premiership Rugby – Bath Rugby". web page. Premier Rugby. Archived from the original on 16 June 2012. Retrieved 24 August 2011.
  2. Hewett, Chris (3 January 2004). "Bell's grounding in Valleys earns view from peak at Bath". The Independent. London. Retrieved 5 January 2010.
  3. "Bell sounds out revenge bid". BBC. 22 May 2002. Retrieved 5 January 2010.
  4. "Pontypridd back youth". BBC. 15 August 2001. Retrieved 5 January 2010.
  5. "Llanelli 17–20 Pontypridd". BBC. 18 May 2002. Retrieved 5 January 2010.
  6. Moore, Jonathon (26 May 2002). "Sale claim Shield glory". BBC. Retrieved 5 January 2010.
  7. "Bath make double signing". BBC. 11 May 2003. Retrieved 5 January 2010.
  8. "Bath secure Challenge Cup glory". BBC. 25 May 2008. Retrieved 5 January 2010.
  9. "Bath's Duncan Bell will retire from rugby at end of season". 17 April 2012.
  10. Bell joins Dragons
  11. "Duncan Bell Player matches All competitions 2014/2015".
  12. "Dawson captain for England tour". BBC. 12 May 1998. Retrieved 5 January 2010.
  13. "Woodward turns to rookies". BBC. 27 May 1998. Retrieved 5 January 2010.
  14. "Australia 76 England 0". BBC. 6 June 1998. Retrieved 5 January 2010.
  15. "Bell snubs England". BBC. 3 March 2004. Retrieved 5 January 2010.
  16. "No Puma tour for Bell". BBC. 18 April 2004. Retrieved 5 January 2010.
  17. "Bell has Wales ambition quashed". BBC. 2 December 2004. Retrieved 5 January 2010.
  18. "Bell Delighted With 'a' Team Performance". Bath Rugby official site. 14 February 2005. Archived from the original on 15 June 2011. Retrieved 5 January 2010.
  19. "Bell says England Call up a welcome bonus". Rugby Football Union. 21 February 2005. Retrieved 5 January 2010.
  20. "England 39–7 Italy". BBC. 12 March 2005. Retrieved 5 January 2010.
  21. "England 43–22 Scotland". BBC. 19 March 2005. Retrieved 5 January 2010.
  22. "England recall for veteran Catt". BBC. 15 May 2006. Retrieved 5 January 2010.
  23. "Injury-hit England make changes". BBC. 26 October 2009. Retrieved 5 January 2010.
  24. Standley, James (7 November 2009). "England 9–18 Australia". BBC. Retrieved 5 January 2010.
  25. Harlow, Phil (14 November 2009). "England 16–9 Argentina". BBC. Retrieved 5 January 2010.
  26. Standley, James (21 November 2009). "England 6–19 New Zealand". BBC. Retrieved 5 January 2010.
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