Richard Metcalfe
Encyclopedia
Richard Metcalfe is a former Scottish rugby union
footballer. He was the world's tallest ever international rugby player and Britain
's tallest athlete. At 7 feet (213 cm), Metcalfe was about six inches taller than a typical second row forward, giving him considerable presence at the front of the line-out
. However, it also meant that in open play his body position in contact was less than ideal, because of his high centre of gravity.
He won 11 Scotland caps between 2000 and 2002 and played for the Northampton Saints
club. In 2003, however, his contract with the Borders/SRU was terminated after he suffered a long-term knee
injury. Metcalfe later took legal action against the Scottish Rugby Union
as they upheld the Borders descison to terminate his contract.
In 2005, Metcalfe set up his own sportswear and sourcing company, Orion Sourcing in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, where he now lives with his wife and two children.
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...
footballer. He was the world's tallest ever international rugby player and Britain
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
's tallest athlete. At 7 feet (213 cm), Metcalfe was about six inches taller than a typical second row forward, giving him considerable presence at the front of the line-out
Line-out
A line-out is the means by which, in rugby union, the ball is put back into play after it has gone into touch. It is the equivalent of the throw-in in soccer. Rugby league abolished line-outs in 1897...
. However, it also meant that in open play his body position in contact was less than ideal, because of his high centre of gravity.
He won 11 Scotland caps between 2000 and 2002 and played for the Northampton Saints
Northampton Saints
Northampton Saints are a professional rugby union club from Northampton, England. The Northampton Saints were formed in 1880. They play in green, black and gold colours. They play their home games at Franklin's Gardens, which has a capacity of 13,591....
club. In 2003, however, his contract with the Borders/SRU was terminated after he suffered a long-term knee
Knee
The knee joint joins the thigh with the leg and consists of two articulations: one between the fibula and tibia, and one between the femur and patella. It is the largest joint in the human body and is very complicated. The knee is a mobile trocho-ginglymus , which permits flexion and extension as...
injury. Metcalfe later took legal action against the Scottish Rugby Union
Scottish Rugby Union
The Scottish Rugby Union is the governing body of rugby union in Scotland. It is the second oldest Rugby Union, having been founded in 1873, as the Scottish Football Union.-History:...
as they upheld the Borders descison to terminate his contract.
In 2005, Metcalfe set up his own sportswear and sourcing company, Orion Sourcing in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, where he now lives with his wife and two children.