Sam Stanley (rugby union)

Sam Stanley (born 8 November 1991)^[1] is a British rugby union player. He played rugby sevens for England during the 2013/14 and 2014/15 World Rugby Sevens Series. At club level, he previously played for Saracens F.C. (2010–2014) and the Bedford Blues (2011–2014).^[1][2][3] In 2015, he signed with the Ealing Trailfinders.^[4] He can play at centre or fly-half.^[3]

Personal life

Stanley comes from a rugby playing family. His brother is Michael Stanley, who plays for Samoa, and his uncle is Joe Stanley, who played rugby for New Zealand.^[2]

In August 2015, Stanley became the first English rugby union player to come out as gay.^[5][6] In 2017, he announced his engagement to his long term boyfriend, (Laurence Hicks): they had met seven years previously on a dating website.^[7]