Ian Clark (rugby union)

Ian Clark (born 1 September 1992) is an English semi-professional rugby union player who plays as a winger.[1] A prolific try scorer during his time at Hartpury College, he has also had a number of cup appearances for Gloucester. After a spell playing rugby league Ian is currently back playing union for Clifton.[2]

Ian Clark
Date of birth (1992-09-01) 1 September 1992
Place of birthBristol, England
Height1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)
Weight75 kg (11 st 11 lb)
Rugby league career
Position(s) Wing
Amateur team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
2015– Gloucestershire All Golds ()
Correct as of 13 December 2015
Rugby union career
Position(s) Wing
Current team Clifton
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2011–13 Gloucester 6 (15)
2011–13 Hartpury College 41 (41)
2013–14 Coventry 6 (241)
2014–15 Hartpury College 1 (20)
2015– Clifton ()
Correct as of 25 April 2015

Rugby career

Born in Bristol, England, Ian attended Colston's School until year 11 where his ability in school rugby union saw him progress on to Hartpury College for sixth form, helping the College win back-to-back Advanced Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence (AASE) league titles. While at Hartpury College he was signed by Premiership side Gloucester as part of their academy and was dual registered with Hartpury College men's team, allowing him to combine league rugby with his studies.[3] Ian would begin his adult career playing for Hartpury College in the 2011–12 National League 2 South season and he had an outstanding debut year, scoring 27 tries to become the divisions top try scorer and helping the club to 4th in the league.[4] He also made his first team competitive debut for Gloucester in the second part of the season, making an instant impression with two tries in a 15 – 23 defeat away to London Irish in the LV Cup.[5] The final highlight of an excellent season saw Ian head to Twickenham Stadium as part of the Hartpury College student team for the 2012 BUCS Cup. He contributed two tries in a 45 – 20 win for Hartpury over Durham.[6]

During the summer of 2012 Ian appeared for Gloucester in the 2012 JP Morgan Premiership Sevens in which he was the competition's top scorer with 10 tries in a Gloucester side that finished as runners up.[7] Despite his excellent scoring record at the competition he was loaned back to Hartpury College for another season in National League 2 South, helping the club to go one better than the previous season, finishing 3rd, with Ian getting 20 tries and once more being the division's top try scorer (he was the joint top scorer but played less games).[8] He also made several appearances for Gloucester in the European Rugby Challenge Cup and LV Cup.[9]

Although he had made several appearances for Gloucester, Ian left the club to join Coventry who were playing in National League 1 (a division higher than the league Hartpury College were in).[10][11] Despite a decent try scoring record of 4 tries in just 6 appearances in the league, Ian was unable to gain a regular spot in the Coventry team and left at the end of the season, to rejoin old team Hartpury College whose student side he had helped to another BUCS cup final victory while still at Cov.[9][12][13]

After competing in sevens rugby with Harlequins during the summer Ian switched codes to play rugby league with the Gloucestershire All Golds.[14][15] After a spell in rugby league he joined Clifton based in his home town of Bristol, playing in National League 2 South for the 2015–16 season scoring a try on his debut against Redingensians.[2]

Rugby Union honours

School/University Rugby

Hartpury College

Gloucester

References
  1. "Ian Clark". Gloucester Rugby. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 13 December 2015.
  2. "Clifton Rugby 41 Redingensians 7". Clifton Rugby. 18 October 2015.
  3. "Sinbad tips Gloucester starlet Ian Clark to have a bright future". Gloucester Citizen. 1 February 2012.
  4. "National Two South 11/12 Leading try scorers". Rugby Statbunker. 28 April 2012.
  5. "Hartpury try machine Ian has a debut to remember". Gloucester Citizen. 6 February 2012. Archived from the original on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 13 December 2015.
  6. "Hartpury overcome Durham in BUCS Rugby Union Championship Final". British Universities & College Sport. 28 March 2012.
  7. "Gloucester Rugby: Ian Clark keen to punch well above his weight". Gloucester Citizen. 6 August 2012.
  8. "National Two South 12/13 Leading try scorers". Rugby Statbunker. 11 May 2013.
  9. "Ian Clark " Record by competition". Rugby Statbunker. Retrieved 13 December 2015.
  10. "Cov continue to strengthen with signing of ambitious Hartpury College pair". Coventry Telegraph. 25 June 2013.
  11. "Hartpury College stars snapped up by Coventry Rugby". rugbynetwork.net. 27 June 2013.
  12. "Ian clark". rugbynetwork.net. 10 August 2014.
  13. "Hartpury win BUCS Cup in thriller against Leeds Met at Twickenham". rugbynetwork.net. 29 March 2014.
  14. "HARLEQUINS HAS ANNOUNCED THE SQUAD TO PLAY AT THE STOOP ON FRIDAY IN THE PREMIERSHIP RUGBY 7S FINALS". Harlequins FC. Retrieved 13 December 2015.
  15. "From Cherry and White to All Gold". Gloucestershire All Golds. 19 February 2015.
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