Sam Stanley (born 8 November 1991) 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). In 2015, he signed with the Ealing Trailfinders. He can play at centre or fly-half.
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.
In August 2015, Stanley became the first English rugby union player to come out as gay. In 2017, he announced his engagement to his long term boyfriend, (Laurence Hicks): they had met seven years previously on a dating website.
References
- ^ "Player statistics: Stanley Sam". It's Rugby. Retrieved 3 December 2017.
- ^ "Sam Stanley is first English rugby player to come out as gay". Sky Sports. 22 August 2017. Retrieved 3 December 2017.
- ^ "Sam Stanley". Esher Rugby. Retrieved 3 December 2017.
- "Stanley swaps sevens for 15's at Vallis Way". Ealing Trailfinders Rugby Club. 2015. Retrieved 3 December 2017.
- Jones, Stephen (30 August 2015). "England Sevens star: I'm gay". The Sunday Times. Retrieved 3 December 2017.
- "Sam Stanley becomes first English rugby union professional to come out as gay". The Observer. 29 August 2015. Retrieved 3 December 2017.
- Haigh, Joshua (1 May 2017). "Exclusive: Rugby star Sam Stanley hits back at criticism surrounding his engagement". Attitude Magazine. Retrieved 3 December 2017.