Sam Skinner (rugby union)

Sam Skinner (born 31 January 1995) is a Scotland international rugby union player for the English Premiership Rugby side Exeter Chiefs. He can play as either a second row or back row forward.

Sam Skinner
Birth nameSamuel George Skinner
Date of birth (1995-01-31) 31 January 1995
Place of birthExeter, England
Height6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Weight113 kg (249 lb; 17 st 11 lb)
SchoolTorquay Boys' Grammar School
UniversityUniversity of Exeter
Rugby union career
Position(s) Lock / Back Row
Amateur team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
2013–14 Taunton Titans 24 (25)
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2014– Exeter Chiefs 73 (40)
Provincial / State sides
Years Team Apps (Points)
- Scottish Exiles ()
National team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
2015
2018–		 England U20
Scotland		 9
10		 (10)
(0)
Correct as of 11 Mar 2020

Rugby Union career

Amateur career

While studying at the University of Exeter Skinner captained the University side to the 2016 BUCS Championship.[1] He would go on to graduate with a first in business and economics.[2]

Skinner started his career with Taunton Titans. While with Taunton he was picked up by the Scottish Exiles programme.[3]

Professional career

He joined the Exeter Chiefs during the 2014/15 season.[4] On 14 November 2014, Skinner made his first-team debut in the LV Cup against Gloucester Rugby before making his Premiership debut against Northampton Saints.[4]

He scored his first top try for the Chiefs in a 36-14 home win over Newcastle Falcons in February 2017 before starting his first game against Wasps RFC in September 2017.[5] His debut was called the ‘performance of the weekend’ in The Daily Telegraph.[6]

In May 2018, Skinner was a second-half replacement for Mitch Lees as Exeter lost to Saracens in the Premiership Grand Final at Twickenham Stadium.[7] Described as one of Exeter's ‘standout players this season’.

International career

In June 2015, Skinner scored a try for the England Under-20 team against Wales in the pool stage of the 2015 World Rugby Under 20 Championship.[8] Skinner came off the bench for the last five minutes in the final as England finished runners up to New Zealand.[9]

Qualifying through this father, in October 2018 Skinner was called up to the senior Scotland squad for the Autumn Internationals.[10] On 10 November 2018 he was given his Scotland international debut, starting at lock against Fiji at Murrayfield Stadium. Skinner received the Man of the Match award; making 7 tackles and 44 metres in the game.[11][12]

References
  1. David, Barnes. "Sam Skinner: 'I've grown up supporting Scotland and England, which is very rare I suppose!'". The Offside Line. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
  2. "Exeter Chiefs' homegrown stars aiming to topple big-spending Montpellier". telegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 4 May 2018.
  3. "Scotland (Sam Skinner) - Scottish Rugby Union". www.scottishrugby.org.
  4. "Exeter Chiefs Player List". exeterchiefs.co.uk. Retrieved 4 May 2018.
  5. "Sam Skinner on his 'surreal' first Premiership start for Exeter Chiefs". Devon Live. Retrieved 4 May 2018.
  6. "Sam Skinner | Aviva Premiership team of the weekend: Who shone in round four? - Rugby Union". telegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 4 May 2018.
  7. "Chiefs 10 Saracens 27". exeterchiefs.co.uk. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
  8. "2015 World U20 Championship: Wales U20 16-30 England U20". BBC Sport. 5 June 2015. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
  9. "Final heartache for young Chiefs". exeterchiefs.co.uk. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
  10. "Scotland: Blade Thomson, Sam Skinner and Sam Johnson in Autumn Tests squad". BBC Sport. 17 October 2018. Retrieved 18 October 2018.
  11. "Sam Skinner: 'I've grown up supporting Scotland and England". 10 November 2018.
  12. "Scottish Rugby on Twitter".
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