Luke Smith (rugby union)

Luke Smith
Full name Luke Atholl Smith
Date of birth (1971-02-09) 9 February 1971
Place of birth East London, Eastern Cape, South Africa
Height 175 cm (5 ft 9 in)
Weight 84 kg (13 st 3 lb)[1]
School Dale College Boys' High School
Rugby union career
Playing career
Position Fly-half
Professional / senior clubs
Years Club / team Caps (points)
1998-99
1999-2000
2000
2001-02
Glasgow Warriors
Racing 92
Rotherham
Saracens
5

5
17
(27)

(61)
(194)
Provincial/State sides
Years Club / team Caps (points)



1998
Eastern Province Kings
Blue Bulls
Natal Sharks
Border Bulldogs
Coaching career
Years Club / team
2013-present Dale College Boys' High School

Luke Smith (born 9 February 1971 in East London, Eastern Cape, South Africa) is a former 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 to represent 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 Dale College Boys' High School in King William's Town, South Africa, Smith has now returned to his former school as Rugby Coach.[5]

References

External links

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