Byron McGuigan

Byron McGuigan (born 20 August 1989) is a rugby union outside centre or wing for Scotland in international rugby and for Sale Sharks in the English Premiership. He was born in Walvis Bay – then a South African exclave, but part of modern-day Namibia – and grew up in Cape Town, where he came through the Western Province academy before his first taste of first class rugby with the Border Bulldogs in 2010 and 2011. After a short spell with the Scotland Sevens team, he returned to fifteens rugby, playing for Glasgow Warriors, Bay of Plenty, Exeter Chiefs and Sale Sharks, culminating in a call-up to Scotland in 2017.

Byron McGuigan

Birth name	Byron McGuigan
Date of birth	(1989-08-20) 20 August 1989 (age 35)
Place of birth	Walvis Bay, Namibia
Height	1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Weight	94 kg (14 st 11 lb; 207 lb)
School	Milnerton High School
Rugby union career
Position(s) Fullback/Wing Senior career Years Team Apps (Points) 2010–2011 Border Bulldogs 13 (46) 2012–2014 Glasgow Warriors 20 (20) 2014–2016 Exeter Chiefs 21 (5) 2016–2023 Sale Sharks 105 (226) Correct as of 20 August 2022 Provincial / State sides Years Team Apps (Points) Bay of Plenty 10 (18) Correct as of 9 October 2014 International career Years Team Apps (Points) 2011–2012 Scotland Sevens 6 (45) 2017–2020 Scotland 10 (15) Correct as of 22 February 2020

Professional career

He played for Glasgow Warriors in the Pro12^[1][2] having previously represented the Border Bulldogs in South Africa's Vodacom Cup competition.^[3]

It was announced in April 2014 that he had left Glasgow Warriors after 20 appearances and four tries over two seasons.^[4]

On 2 November 2014, Aviva Premiership side Exeter Chiefs announced that McGuigan would be joining them for the 2014–15 season on a one-year deal.^[5] On 27 July 2016, McGuigan signed a two-year deal with Premiership rivals Sale Sharks from the 2016–17 season.^[6]

International career

McGuigan received his first call up to the senior Scotland squad by coach Gregor Townsend for the Autumn Internationals, making his debut against New Zealand as a second-half replacement.^[7] During his full debut the following week, McGuigan scored his first two international tries against Australia.^[8]

After a three-year stand-down period from international rugby, it was announced that McGuigan had switched counties to be able to represent the Namibia national team, but was not selected for the 2023 Rugby World Cup squad.^[9]

International tries

As of 19 November 2021 ^[10]

Try	Opposing team	Location	Venue	Competition	Date	Result	Score
1	Australia	Edinburgh, Scotland	Murrayfield Stadium	2017 end-of-year rugby union internationals	25 November 2017	Win	53 – 24
2
3	Canada	Edmonton, Canada	Commonwealth Stadium	2018 June rugby union tests	9 June 2018	Win	10 – 48

References

1. "Byron McGuigan Glasgow Warriors profile". Archived from the original on 2 February 2013. Retrieved 26 October 2012.
2. "Scotland 7s Star Byron McGuigan Pens Two-Year Deal With Glasgow Warriors". Retrieved 26 October 2012.
3. "SA Rugby Player Profile – Byron McGuigan". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 30 May 2016.
4. "News".
5. "Exeter Bring in McGuigan". Planet Rugby. Archived from the original on 2 November 2014. Retrieved 2 November 2014.
6. "Sale Sharks sign former Exeter Chiefs utility back Byron McGuigan". BBC Sport. 27 July 2016. Retrieved 27 September 2016.
7. "Scotland 17-22 New Zealand". BBC Sport. Retrieved 4 June 2021.
8. "Scotland 53-24 Australia". BBC Sport. Retrieved 4 June 2021.
9. "McGuigan becomes latest international to switch countries". Rugby Pass. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
10. "Byron McGuigan". 19 November 2021.

External links

• Byron McGuigan at itsrugby.co.uk
• Byron McGuigan at the World Rugby Men's Sevens Series (archived)