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Luke Smith (rugby union)

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Luke Smith
Birth nameLuke Atholl Smith
Date of birth(1971-02-09)9 February 1971
Place of birthEast London, Eastern Cape, South Africa
Date of death16 July 2021(2021-07-16) (aged 50)
Place of deathEast London, Eastern Cape, South Africa
Height175 cm (5 ft 9 in)
Weight84 kg (13 st 3 lb; 185 lb)[1]
SchoolDale College Boys' High School
Rugby union career
Position(s) Fly-half
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
1998–99
1999–2000
2000
2001–02		 Glasgow Warriors
Racing 92
Rotherham
Saracens		 5

5
17		 (27)

(61)
(194)
Provincial / State sides
Years Team Apps (Points)



1998		 Eastern Province
Blue Bulls
Sharks (Currie Cup)
Border Bulldogs		 ()
Coaching career
Years Team
2013–present Dale College Boys' High School

Luke Smith (born 9 February 1971 in East London, Eastern Cape, South Africa – died 16 July 2021) was a 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 of representing 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 Selborne College in East London and Dale College Boys' High School in King William's Town, South Africa, Smith returned to his former school as rugby coach.[5]

Smith died suddenly on 16 July 2021.[17]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Luke Smith – Rugby Union – Players and Officials". ESPN scrum.
  2. ^ "Caledonians in line for a South African boost". The Herald. Glasgow.
  3. ^ "Luke here – and his target is to gain a Scotland place Caledonians' South African signing could have a chance to wear the dark blue". The Herald. Glasgow.
  4. ^ "Stand-off crisis results in the return of Donaldson". The Herald. Glasgow.
  5. ^ a b c "Rugby365-Dale's new coach".
  6. ^ "Late show from Craig seals impressive win Combined Districts perform well despite injuries and sickness for players". The Herald. Glasgow.
  7. ^ "Simpson sends message as Districts score victory". The Herald. Glasgow.
  8. ^ "Wainwright may retire".
  9. ^ "Match Centre – Heineken Cup – ERC – Official Website". ercrugby.com.
  10. ^ "Search Results".
  11. ^ "Heineken Cup : Player profile". Archived from the original on 19 August 2016. Retrieved 11 January 2016.
  12. ^ "Match centre". scarlets.co.uk.
  13. ^ "HUBCAT: Record".
  14. ^ "Defeat but no disgrace for Glasgow's Reds". The Herald. Glasgow.
  15. ^ "Reds give a green light for Scotland". The Herald. Glasgow.
  16. ^ "Vile milestone is bad news for Rotherham". ESPN scrum.
  17. ^ Comfort, Edem (17 July 2021). "Luke Smith Rugby Death – Obituary | Luke Smith Has Died". Inside Eko. Retrieved 8 August 2021.
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