Luke Smith (rugby union)

Luke Smith
Birth 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
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		 ()
Teams coached
Years 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

  1. 1 2 "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. 1 2 3 "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. ↑ http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/12016152.Wainwright_may_retire/
  9. ↑ "Match Centre – Heineken Cup – ERC – Official Website". ercrugby.com.
  10. ↑ http://www.calmview.eu/HUBCAT/CalmView/Record.aspx?src=CalmView.Catalog&id=BML%2F5%2F13
  11. ↑ "Heineken Cup : Player profile".
  12. ↑ "Match centre". scarlets.co.uk.
  13. ↑ http://www.calmview.eu/HUBCAT/CalmView/Record.aspx?src=CalmView.Catalog&id=BML%2F2%2F16%2F43
  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.
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