Duncan Bell (rugby union)
Birth name | Duncan Stuart Crampton Bell | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Date of birth | 1 October 1974 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Place of birth | King's Lynn, Norfolk, England | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Height | 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Weight | 125 kg (19 st 10 lb)[1] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
School | Colston's Collegiate School | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Duncan Stuart Crampton Bell (born 1 October 1974 in King's Lynn, Norfolk) is an English rugby union player currently playing for Lydney Rugby Football Club in the National League 2 South. Educated at Colston's Collegiate School, Bristol, he is an England international with five caps.
Born in Norfolk, Bell was raised in the South Gloucestershire village of Hawkesbury Upton.[2] He attended Colston's Collegiate School with Chris Taylor the Gloucestershire cricketer with whom he shares a great friendship. Bell first played rugby for Bath Minis[2] and later for Bristol U17's and colts whilst attending Colston's Collegiate school.
Club career
Bell had joined NEC Harlequins, but was unable to win a professional contract.[2] Bell then spent a season with Ebbw Vale, prior to a four-year spell with Sale.[3]
He made the move to Pontypridd in 2001.[4] During his time at the club, Bell won the 2002 Principality Cup[5] and was a finalist in the 2002 Parker Pen Shield.[6]
In 2003, Bell moved to Bath.[7] Bell played in the final of the 2007–08 European Challenge Cup, as Bath defeated the Worcester Warriors.[8]
In 2012, Bell announced his retirement from rugby at the end of the 2011/2012 season, and announced he was battling depression throughout his career.[9]
In February 2014 Bell came out of retirement to represent Newport Gwent Dragons.[10] making nine appearances that season.[11] For the 2014/2015 season he is playing for Lydney.[11]
International career
Bell was first called up to the England squad in 1998 on the so-called "Tour of Hell".[12] Bell was named on the bench to face Australia,[13] but did not take the field.[14]
Bell was selected for England A in a fixture against France A in 2004, which he snubbed in favour of representing Wales in the future.[15] Due to regulations, Bell was not allowed to join the Welsh summer tour of Argentina,[16] later that year the IRB confirmed he could not represent Wales.[17]
In 2005, Bell played for England A against France A.[18] He was subsequently called up for the senior squad to compete in the 2005 Six Nations,[19] making his England debut against Italy.[20] Bell played in the following fixture against Scotland.[21] Bell was also a member of the 2006 summer tour of Australia.[22]
Due to injuries, Bell was selected for the 2009 Autumn Internationals.[23] Bell featured in all three games, against Australia,[24] Argentina[25] and New Zealand.[26]
References
- ^ "Aviva Premiership Rugby – Bath Rugby". web page. Premier Rugby. Archived from the original on 16 June 2012. Retrieved 24 August 2011.
- ^ a b c Hewett, Chris (3 January 2004). "Bell's grounding in Valleys earns view from peak at Bath". The Independent. London. Retrieved 5 January 2010.[dead link]
- ^ "Bell sounds out revenge bid". BBC. 22 May 2002. Retrieved 5 January 2010.
- ^ "Pontypridd back youth". BBC. 15 August 2001. Retrieved 5 January 2010.
- ^ "Llanelli 17–20 Pontypridd". BBC. 18 May 2002. Retrieved 5 January 2010.
- ^ Moore, Jonathon (26 May 2002). "Sale claim Shield glory". BBC. Retrieved 5 January 2010.
- ^ "Bath make double signing". BBC. 11 May 2003. Retrieved 5 January 2010.
- ^ "Bath secure Challenge Cup glory". BBC. 25 May 2008. Retrieved 5 January 2010.
- ^ "Bath's Duncan Bell will retire from rugby at end of season". 17 April 2012.
- ^ Bell joins Dragons
- ^ a b "Duncan Bell Player matches All competitions 2014/2015".
- ^ "Dawson captain for England tour". BBC. 12 May 1998. Retrieved 5 January 2010.
- ^ "Woodward turns to rookies". BBC. 27 May 1998. Retrieved 5 January 2010.
- ^ "Australia 76 England 0". BBC. 6 June 1998. Retrieved 5 January 2010.
- ^ "Bell snubs England". BBC. 3 March 2004. Retrieved 5 January 2010.
- ^ "No Puma tour for Bell". BBC. 18 April 2004. Retrieved 5 January 2010.
- ^ "Bell has Wales ambition quashed". BBC. 2 December 2004. Retrieved 5 January 2010.
- ^ "Bell Delighted With 'a' Team Performance". Bath Rugby official site. 14 February 2005. Archived from the original on 15 June 2011. Retrieved 5 January 2010.
- ^ "Bell says England Call up a welcome bonus". Rugby Football Union. 21 February 2005. Retrieved 5 January 2010.
- ^ "England 39–7 Italy". BBC. 12 March 2005. Retrieved 5 January 2010.
- ^ "England 43–22 Scotland". BBC. 19 March 2005. Retrieved 5 January 2010.
- ^ "England recall for veteran Catt". BBC. 15 May 2006. Retrieved 5 January 2010.
- ^ "Injury-hit England make changes". BBC. 26 October 2009. Retrieved 5 January 2010.
- ^ Standley, James (7 November 2009). "England 9–18 Australia". BBC. Retrieved 5 January 2010.
- ^ Harlow, Phil (14 November 2009). "England 16–9 Argentina". BBC. Retrieved 5 January 2010.
- ^ Standley, James (21 November 2009). "England 6–19 New Zealand". BBC. Retrieved 5 January 2010.
External links
- 1974 births
- Living people
- Bath Rugby players
- Dragons RFC players
- Ebbw Vale RFC players
- England international rugby union players
- English rugby union players
- Harlequin F.C. players
- People educated at Colston's School
- Pontypridd RFC players
- Rugby union players from King's Lynn
- Rugby union props
- Sale Sharks players