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Rory Scholes (born 24 April 1993) is an Irish rugby union player. He plays primarily as a wing, but also covers fullback. Scholes last played for Brive. He has previously played for his native province of Ulster, Scottish side Edinburgh and another Irish provincial side Connacht in the Pro14.

Early life

Scholes was born in Belfast. He was educated at Campbell College in city, and played rugby with the school side. Scholes was part of the team that were runners-up to The Royal School in the Schools Shield in 2010. The following year, he was part of the side that won the 2011 Ulster Schools' Cup. Campbell beat Royal Belfast Academical Institution 18–11 in the final, with Scholes kicking eight of their points. Among his teammates on the schools team was future Irish international Chris Farrell. Scholes has a sports science degree from Ulster University, which he studied for while in the Ulster Rugby academy.

Club career

Ulster

Scholes joined the Ulster academy ahead of the 2011–12 season. During his first two seasons in the academy, he primarily played for his club side Belfast Harlequins and the province's second-tier side, the Ulster Ravens. In February 2014, Scholes made his senior debut for the team away to the Ospreys in the 2013–14 Pro12, and made a further four appearances in the league that season.

Scholes signed a senior contract with Ulster ahead of the 2014–15 season, and made four appearances in that year's league. The following season saw him play much more regularly for the first team, however. Scholes featured in 12 of the team's 2015–16 Pro12 games, starting nine of them, and scored his first try for the team against Scarlets on 12 September 2015. He also made his European debut against Toulouse in the Champions Cup and played in five of Ulster's six matches in the tournament. However, with the impending arrival of New Zealand fullback Charles Piutau in the summer, Scholes decided to leave Ulster after his breakthrough season.

Edinburgh

It was announced in March 2017 that Scholes had signed a two-year deal with Scottish side Edinburgh. The move to Edinburgh also saw him join amateur side Gala in the Scottish Borders. Scholes made his Edinburgh debut against Cardiff Blues on 9 September 2016. He made a total of eight appearances in the 2016–17 Pro12, scoring two tries, and also played twice in the 2016–17 Challenge Cup. In July 2017, it was announced that Scholes would leave the club with one year left to run on his deal.

Connacht

In August 2017, Irish province Connacht announced that they had signed Scholes ahead of the 2017–18 season. He made his debut for the team in their Pro14 game against Dragons on 15 September 2017. After just three appearances Scholes had to have his appendix removed in November that year, leading to lengthy absence.

International career

Scholes has represented Ireland internationally at under-age level. He was part of the Ireland under-18 schools team in 2010 and 2011, on the back of his performances for Campbell College. In 2013, he was part of the Ireland under-20 side. Scholes featured in four of the team's five games in the 2013 Six Nations Under 20s Championship, playing the full 80 minutes each time and scoring a total of 13 points. In May 2013, he was named in the squad for the Junior World Championship in France. Scholes played in all five of the team's games, scoring four tries, as they finished fifth overall in the tournament.

References

1. "Campbell set up Shield date with Armagh Royal". Belfast Telegraph. 8 March 2010. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
2. "Northern Bank Schools' Cup Final: RBAI 11-18 Campbell College". Ulster Rugby. 18 March 2011. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
3. "Schools' Cup final: Campbell College 18 RBAI 11". Belfast Telegraph. 18 March 2011. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
4. "'I really believe we can do big things with this team'". Irish Independent. 8 September 2017. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
5. "Four provinces can bank on strong line-up of young talent". Irish Times. 23 January 2016. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
6. "UCC Denied By Harlequins' Second Half Comeback". Irish Rugby. 5 November 2011. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
7. "Rory Scholes rewarded for hard work with first Ulster start". newsletter.co.uk. 28 February 2014.
8. ^ "Player Profile: Rory Scholes". Pro14. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
9. ^ "Player Archive: Rory Scholes". European Professional Club Rugby. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
10. "Exciting Ulster wing prospect Rory Scholes agrees move to Edinburgh". The42. 2 March 2016. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
11. "Edinburgh squad update". Edinburgh Rugby. 27 July 2017.
12. "Rory Scholes - Past Teams". Gala Rugby. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
13. "Scholes and Fihaki leave Edinburgh". SCRUM. 27 July 2017. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
14. "Connacht sign winger Rory Scholes". Connacht Rugby. 8 August 2017. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
15. "Connacht winger joins province's lengthy injury list after appendix surgery". The42. 21 November 2017. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
16. "Ireland U-18 Schools Side To Face England". Irish Rugby. 29 December 2010. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
17. "Ireland U-18 Schools Squad Announced For FIRA-AER Championship". Irish Rugby. 13 April 2011. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
18. ^ "Ireland U20 Squad Profiles: Rory Scholes". Irish Rugby. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
19. "Ireland Under-20 Squad Named For Junior World Championship". Irish Rugby. 28 May 2013. Retrieved 4 January 2018.

External links

• Connacht profile
• Edinburgh profile
• EPCR profile
• Ireland U20 profile
• Pro14 profile
• Ulster profile

• 1993 births
• Living people
• Alumni of Ulster University
• Belfast Harlequins rugby union players
• Connacht Rugby players
• Edinburgh Rugby players
• Gala RFC players
• Irish rugby union players
• People educated at Campbell College
• Rugby union wings
• Ulster Rugby players
• CA Brive players
• Expatriate rugby union players in France
• Expatriate rugby union players from Northern Ireland