| Full name | Mark Gerarde Ring | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 15 October 1962 | ||
| Place of birth | Cardiff, Wales | ||
| School | Lady Mary High School, Cardiff | ||
| Occupation(s) | Businessman | ||
| Rugby union career | |||
| Playing career | |||
| Position | Centre | ||
| Amateur clubs | |||
| Years | Club / team | ||
| Cardiff RFC Pontypool RFC Barbarian F.C. |
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| National team(s) | |||
| Years | Club / team | Caps | (points) |
| 1983–1991 | Wales | 32 | (34) |
Mark Gerarde Ring (born 15 October 1962)[1] played rugby union for Cardiff RFC, Pontypool RFC and Wales between 1982 and 1996. He was regarded as among the most gifted players of his generation but his career was hampered by serious injury.[2]
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A great entertainer, Ring was noted for his cheek, flair and individual skill. He first came to attention as outside half for the Cardiff RFC Youth team. Selection for the full Cardiff RFC side soon followed. He became a great crowd favourite with his hometown club but also spent a few seasons at Pontypool where he formed a notable half back partnership with David Bishop.
He won his first Welsh cap at the age of 20 versus England in Cardiff. He eventually won 32 caps, scoring 34 points in the process. The highlight of his international career came in 1988 when he was part of a Triple Crown winning Welsh side. The majority of his caps were won in the centre position but he played in his favoured outside half role throughout the 1991 Rugby World Cup. Knee injuries hampered his performance and that tournament marked the end of his international career.
Mark Ring ended his top flight club career in 1996 after the first Heineken Cup Final, when Cardiff were beaten by Stade Toulousain. He moved into coaching, first at West Hartlepool RFC then back at Cardiff where he took charge of the backs. Ring spent a spell as player/coach at the Penzance and Newlyn Pirates. He then won plaudits as coach of Caerphilly RFC.Mark moved to Ireland to coach a feeding team for Munster called Old Crescent. He returned across the water and to coach Tetbury RFC in Gloucestershire Division Two for a few seasons and went on to coach the University of Glamorgan team in Pontypridd. He is now coach of Welsh Premier Division side Cross Keys RFC. Mark Ring regularly contributes to Read Radio Wales Sports phone-in where he gives expert pundit advice.
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