Rio Dyer (born 21 December 1999) is a Welsh professional rugby union player who plays as a wing for United Rugby Championship club Dragons and the Wales national team.
 Dyer representing Wales during the Six Nations Championship | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Date of birth | 21 December 1999 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Place of birth | Newport, Wales | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 84 kg (185 lb; 13 st 3 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | Newport High School Bassaleg School | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Club career
editDyer began his career playing for the Risca RFC and Pill Harriers RFC youth sides, as well as for Newport High School Old Boys RFC.[1]
While part of the Dragons Academy, Dyer made his professional debut on 27 January 2018, against Saracens in the Anglo-Welsh Cup.[2] His first appearance in the Pro14 came against Benetton Rugby the following month.[3]
Dyer was named man of the match on 4 January 2020, as the Dragons beat regional rivals Ospreys 25–18, with Dyer scoring a try in the victory.[4] In March 2020, Dyer signed his first professional contract with the Dragons.[5] He signed an extension in January 2022.[6]
On 23 October 2022, Dyer again claimed a man of the match award against the Ospreys, scoring twice and propelling the Dragons to a 32–25 win.[7]
On 17 January 2024, Dyer signed a long–term contract extension with the Dragons.[8]
International career
editDyer was a Wales U20 international.[9] He missed the 2019 Six Nations Under 20s Championship to participate in the World Rugby Sevens Series, but rejoined the U20 side for the 2019 World Rugby Under 20 Championship.[10]
On 18 October 2022, Dyer was named in the Wales squad for the 2022 Autumn series.[11] Dyer started against New Zealand on 5 November 2022, and scored the first try for Wales.[12]
Dyer scored his second try for Wales in the final match of the series, a loss against Australia.[13]
Owing to his continued good form, Dyer continued his involvement with the national side, and was named in the Welsh squad for the 2023 Six Nations Championship.[14] Dyer started the first two matches against Ireland and Scotland, but was dropped for the match against England, following Louis Rees-Zammit returning to fitness.
Recalled to the starting team against Italy, he scored his third try for Wales, and secured his first win for the national side.[15] The following week Dyer scored again, against France, securing a try bonus point for Wales as they avoided a wooden spoon finish.[16]
Dyer was named in the Wales squad for the 2023 Rugby World Cup, and appeared in all matches as Wales made the quarter final round.[17]
Career statistics
editList of international tries
edit| No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5 November 2022 | Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Wales |  New Zealand
|
5–17 | 23–55 | 2022 end-of-year rugby union internationals |
| 2 | 26 November 2022 | Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Wales |  Australia
|
32–13 | 34–39 | 2022 end-of-year rugby union internationals |
| 3 | 11 March 2023 | Stadio Olimpico, Rome, Italy |  Italy
|
8–0 | 29–17 | 2023 Six Nations Championship |
| 4 | 18 March 2023 | Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France |  France
|
26–41 | 28–41 | 2023 Six Nations Championship |
| 5 | 3 February 2024 | Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Wales |  Scotland
|
10–27 | 26–27 | 2024 Six Nations Championship |
| 6 | 10 March 2024 | Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Wales | France
|
8–0 | 24–45 | 2024 Six Nations Championship |
as of 10 March 2024[update]
References
edit- ^ "Teenage speedster Dyer aiming to build on Dragons debut against Euro champs". South Wales Argus. 29 January 2018. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
- ^ Sands, Katie (27 April 2021). "New kid Rio Dyer is already one of Wales' fastest players as excitement grows". WalesOnline. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
- ^ "Dragons 15-18 Benetton Rugby". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
- ^ "Dragons inflict more misery on Ospreys". BBC Sport. Retrieved 23 January 2023.
- ^ "Dragon News : Speedster Dyer signs contract". Dragons RFC. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
- ^ "Dragons back rapid winger to kick on after agreeing new contract". South Wales Argus. 12 January 2022. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
- ^ "Dyer double gives Dragons Welsh bragging rights". rugby365.com. Retrieved 23 January 2023.
- ^ "Wales wing Dyer signs new 'multi-year' Dragons deal". BBC Sport. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
- ^ "Wales name squad for U20 World Championships". itv. 10 May 2018. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
- ^ worldrugby.org. "Strong sevens influence in Wales U20 Championship squad | World Rugby". www.world.rugby. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
- ^ "Wales autumn rugby squad announcement as Wayne Pivac names five uncapped players". Wales Online. 18 October 2022. Retrieved 20 October 2022.
- ^ "Wales v New Zealand Live: Score updates as Justin Tipuric and Rio Dyer claim tries". Wales Online. 5 November 2022. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
- ^ "Wales 34-39 Australia: Autumn Nations Series – as it happened". the Guardian. 26 November 2022. Retrieved 23 January 2023.
- ^ "Owens captains new 37-man Wales squad - Welsh Rugby Union". Welsh Rugby Union | Wales & Regions. 17 January 2023. Retrieved 23 January 2023.
- ^ "Wales secure bonus-point win against Italy in Rome". BBC Sport. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
- ^ "France beat Wales but Six Nations hopes dashed". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
- ^ "Wales reveal squad for Rugby World Cup 2023 - Welsh Rugby Union". Welsh Rugby Union | Wales & Regions. 21 August 2023. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
External links
edit- Rio Dyer at ESPNscrum
- Rio Dyer at ItsRugby.co.uk
- Rio Dyer at Welsh Rugby Union
- Dragons profile
