Danny Wilson (rugby)
Wales international rugby league footballer
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Donald James "Danny" Wilson (born 4 November 1955) is a Welsh former rugby union and professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1970s and 1980s. A Wales international stand-off, he played his club rugby for Widnes,[3] Barrow, Swinton,[4] Runcorn Highfield and Springfield Borough.[2][5]
Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Donald James Wilson | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | 4 November 1955 Cwmbran, Wales | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Playing information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rugby union | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Fly-half | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rugby league | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Stand-off | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Relatives | Ryan Giggs (son) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Career
Born in Wales to a Sierra Leone Creole father[6][7] and a Welsh mother, Wilson played rugby union for Cardiff RFC as a fly-half. He had trials with several rugby league clubs, including Widnes and Barrow, before eventually moving north to play as a professional with Swinton.[8]
Wilson once scored five drop goals in a match for Swinton in 1983,[9] which is a joint record in British rugby league history.[10]
Wilson won five caps for Wales while at Swinton between 1981 and 1984.[2]
Family
Wilson is the father of former footballer and Wales manager Ryan Giggs,[7] who was christened Ryan Joseph Wilson but as a teenager changed his surname to that of his mother.[7] Giggs is said to have inherited his balance and athleticism from his father.[7][11]