Dan Ward-Smith
Encyclopedia
Dan Ward-Smith was a professional rugby union
player who plays at Number Eight for London Wasps
. He can also cover Flanker and Second Row, making him a useful forward to have in the Wasps squad.
That is exactly what he did, his massive 1.93m, 115 kg frame was a driving point in Bristol's survival that season, his massive strength from the No.8 position gave the Bristol backs a strong platform off which to perform, and his strength from the base of the scrum was one of the reasons why Shaun Perry
shone as he did. His nickname is "mutant" amongst his peers.
He was selected for England 'A' in his first season at Bristol Rugby
, making his debut against Ireland A
. In his second season at the club he was called up to the 30-man England
training squad for the Autumn Internationals. To the fans he is simply known as "Massive"
He missed out on a place in the 2007 England World Cup squad
due to a dislocated patella after being part of the initial training squad.
After a promising start to the 2007–08 season with Bristol he broke his hand and missed out on selection for the 2008 Six Nations squad.
It was announced on the 24th March 2009 that he had signed a 2-year deal with London Wasps
.
On July 7, 2009; Ward-Smith was selected for the England Saxons
squad.
He has been selected by Martin Johnson for the 2010 tour to the southern hemisphere.
In Angust 2011 he announced immediate retirement from the game due to medical advice.
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
player who plays at Number Eight for London Wasps
London Wasps
London Wasps is an English professional rugby union team. The men's first team, which forms London Wasps, was derived from Wasps Football Club who were formed in 1867 at the now defunct Eton and Middlesex Tavern in North London, at the turn of professionalism in 1999...
. He can also cover Flanker and Second Row, making him a useful forward to have in the Wasps squad.
Career
Ward-Smith joined Bristol for the 2005-6 campaign from Plymouth Albion and looked to make a huge impression in his first season in the Premiership.That is exactly what he did, his massive 1.93m, 115 kg frame was a driving point in Bristol's survival that season, his massive strength from the No.8 position gave the Bristol backs a strong platform off which to perform, and his strength from the base of the scrum was one of the reasons why Shaun Perry
Shaun Perry
Shaun Perry is an English rugby union footballer, who plays for Worcester Warriors in the Aviva Premiership. His usual position is at scrum half....
shone as he did. His nickname is "mutant" amongst his peers.
He was selected for England 'A' in his first season at Bristol Rugby
Bristol Rugby
Bristol Rugby is a rugby union club based in Bristol, England. The club currently plays in the RFU Championship and competes in the British and Irish Cup. They rely in large part on the many junior rugby clubs in the region, particularly those from 'the Combination'...
, making his debut against Ireland A
Ireland A national rugby union team
The Ireland Wolfhounds are the second national rugby union team behind the Irish national side. They have previously competed in the Churchill Cup together with the England Saxons and the full national teams of Canada and the United States as well as selection of other nations' 1st, 2nd and 3rd...
. In his second season at the club he was called up to the 30-man England
England national rugby union team
The England national rugby union team represents England in rugby union. They compete in the annual Six Nations Championship with France, Ireland, Scotland, Italy, and Wales. They have won this championship on 26 occasions, 12 times winning the Grand Slam, making them the most successful team in...
training squad for the Autumn Internationals. To the fans he is simply known as "Massive"
He missed out on a place in the 2007 England World Cup squad
2007 Rugby World Cup squads
This article lists the official squads for the 2007 Rugby World Cup in France. Each of the twenty nations was required to confirm their 30-man squad by 14 August...
due to a dislocated patella after being part of the initial training squad.
After a promising start to the 2007–08 season with Bristol he broke his hand and missed out on selection for the 2008 Six Nations squad.
It was announced on the 24th March 2009 that he had signed a 2-year deal with London Wasps
London Wasps
London Wasps is an English professional rugby union team. The men's first team, which forms London Wasps, was derived from Wasps Football Club who were formed in 1867 at the now defunct Eton and Middlesex Tavern in North London, at the turn of professionalism in 1999...
.
On July 7, 2009; Ward-Smith was selected for the England Saxons
England Saxons
England Saxons is the current name of England's men's second national rugby union team. The team has previously been known by a number of names, such as England B, Emerging England and, most recently, England A...
squad.
He has been selected by Martin Johnson for the 2010 tour to the southern hemisphere.
In Angust 2011 he announced immediate retirement from the game due to medical advice.