Duncan Taylor (rugby union)

Scotland international rugby union player From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Duncan Taylor (rugby union)

Duncan Taylor (born 5 September 1989) is a Scottish retired professional rugby union player. His regular playing position was centre. He played for Saracens in Premiership Rugby[1] between 2012 and 2023, during this period the club won several Premiership's and three European Cups.

Quick Facts Birth name, Date of birth ...
Duncan Taylor
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Taylor in 2017
Birth nameDuncan McWilliam Taylor
Date of birth (1989-09-05) 5 September 1989 (age 35)
Place of birthNorthampton, England
Height1.91 m (6 ft 3 in)
Weight100 kg (15 st 10 lb; 220 lb)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Centre, Wing, Fullback
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2010–2012 Bedford Blues 17 (35)
2012–2023 Saracens 157 (75)
Correct as of 21 June 2023
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2013 Scotland A
2013–2020 Scotland 28 (17)
Correct as of 17 September 2019
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Early life and education

Taylor travelled extensively during his childhood and lived in England, Scotland and Australia. He qualifies for Scotland through his Scottish parents.[2]

Taylor was educated at Davidson Mains Primary School in Edinburgh, Olney Middle School (playing rugby for Olney RFC), Davidson School in Sydney, Australia (playing for Garigal RFC), a return to Olney Middle School, then Ousedale School in Newport Pagnell.[3]

Rugby playing career

Summarize
Perspective

Taylor did not play for a county or country junior sides.

Club level

Taylor signed for Bedford Blues aged 17. He then joined Saracens on a dual-registration deal in the summer of 2011.[4]

Mark McCall has described Taylor as an underappreciated player,[5] and as a very popular player in the Saracens squad, and he has been described as a 'player's player.'[6][7] During his time at Saracens he has won three Premiership finals in 2015, 2016 and 2023, scoring a try in the 2016 final.[8][9][10] He also helped Saracens win the European Champions Cup in 2016 and 2017.[11][12] On 9 May 2023, it was announced Taylor would be leaving Saracens.[13]

International level

Taylor first earned international honours representing Scotland A during their 2013 campaign. He scored a famous try in their first ever victory away to England Saxons at the sixth time of trying.[2]

His impressive performances during the 2012–2013 season were rewarded when he was called up the senior Scotland squad for their Summer tour to South Africa.[14] He made his full debut against Samoa later that year.[15]

Playing for a club with a heavy fixture load has on occasion not helped Taylor's international career, at a time when Scotland had many player options at centre.[16]

Injuries

Taylor tore his hamstring during Scotland's 2016 summer tour of Japan. He then had 2 ankle-related operations, shoulder problems, and concussions.[17][18][19] He suffered a head injury in 1/18 and ligament injuries in 9/18. [20][21]

References

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