Dan Baker (rugby union) explained

Dan Baker
Birth Name:Dan Baker
Birth Date:5 July 1992
Birth Place:Neath, Wales
Height:188cm (74inches)
Weight:114kg (251lb)
School:Cwmtawe Comprehensive School
Neath College
Ru Currentteam:Aberavon RFC
Ru Position:Number 8
Youthyears1: 
Youthclubs1:Ystradgynlais RFC
Years1:2011–2013
Clubs1:Swansea
Apps1:46
Points1:70
Years2:2013–2020
Apps2:92
Points2:100
Years3:2020–2021
Clubs3:Stade Montois
Apps3:8
Points3:0
Years4:2021–2022
Clubs4:Dragons
Apps4:11
Points4:5
Years5:2022–
Apps5:3
Points5:5
Ru Clubupdate:13 October 2022
Repyears1:2012
Repcaps1:8
Reppoints1:5
Repyears2:2013–2015
Repteam2:Wales
Repcaps2:3
Reppoints2:0
Ru Ntupdate:15 October 2022

Dan Baker (born 5 July 1992) is a Wales international rugby union player. A back row forward, he plays for Ystradgynlais RFC having previously played for the Dragons, Stade Montois, Ospreys and Aberavon RFC

Club career

Baker came through the Ospreys grade age system, beginning with Ystradgynlais RFC. He played for Swansea RFC, before makes his debut for the Ospreys in January 2013 in an Anglo-Welsh Cup fixture against the Dragons.[1] He signed a contract extension with the Ospreys in April 2014.[2] In November 2015, he signed a National Dual Contract with the Ospreys and the Welsh Rugby Union.[3] Baker signed another extension with the Ospreys in November 2016.

Baker was named as man of the match in a Pro12 match against Connacht on 7 January 2017, scoring a try in the win.[4] He suffered a serious knee injury on 15 October 2017, and was ruled out for the remainder of the season.[5] Baker ultimately did not return until September 2019.[6]

Baker departed the Ospreys in 2020 for Pro D2 club Stade Montois.[7] He joined the Dragons in February 2021 initially to play until the end of the season, but was later signed for the following season.[8] Baker was released by the Dragons in 2022, and subsequently joined Aberavon RFC.[9] Baker returned to home town club Ystradgynlais RFC for the 2023-24 season.

International career

Baker was selected for Wales U20 for the 2012 Six Nations Under 20s Championship.[10] He was part of the Wales U20 team that beat New Zealand U20 in the 2012 IRB Junior World Championship, their first win over New Zealand at that age level, and a first Welsh win over a New Zealand national team since 1953.[11]

In May 2013 he was selected in the Wales national rugby union team 32 man training squad for the summer 2013 tour to Japan.[12] He made his international debut against Japan on 8 June 2013.[13]

Baker made his third appearance for Wales on 8 August 2015, in a World Cup warm up match against Ireland.[14] He was ultimately not selected for the final squad.[15]

Baker was selected by caretaker coach Rob Howley in the squad for the 2016 end-of-year rugby union internationals, but did not appear in any of the match day squads, and ultimately gained no further caps for Wales.[16]

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Baker signs new Ospreys deal . en-GB . BBC Sport . 2023-03-22.
  2. Web site: 2014-04-30 . New deal for Baker . 2023-03-22 . PlanetRugby . en.
  3. News: Baker and Thornton sign dual deals . en-GB . BBC Sport . 2023-03-22.
  4. Web site: Ospreys 29-7 Connacht: Welsh side move top of PRO12 . 2023-03-22 . Sky Sports . en.
  5. Web site: 23 October 2017 . Ospreys: Injured back row forward Dan Baker out for season . 22 March 2023 . BBC Sports.
  6. Web site: Orders . Mark . 2019-09-11 . The forgotten Wales international set to resume his career after 699 days . 2023-03-22 . WalesOnline . en.
  7. Web site: 26 May 2020 . Dan Baker: Wales back row leaves Ospreys for France's Stade Montois . 22 March 2023 . BBC Sport.
  8. Web site: Gonzalo Bertranou and Dan Baker sign new Dragons deals . 13 May 2021.
  9. Web site: Wales international signs for semi-pro club at 11th hour and says team-mate was 's**t on' . 27 May 2022.
  10. Web site: 2012-01-26 . Wales U20s squad announced - Welsh Rugby Union . 2023-03-22 . Welsh Rugby Union Wales & Regions . en-GB.
  11. Web site: Howell . Andy . 2012-06-08 . New Zealand under-20 6 - 9 Wales under-20: Young guns create history . 2023-03-22 . WalesOnline . en.
  12. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/22362138 Wales squad
  13. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/22824941 Wales debut
  14. News: Rees . Paul . 2015-08-08 . Ireland run in five tries to crush Wales in World Cup warmup . en-GB . The Observer . 2023-03-22 . 0029-7712.
  15. News: Wales' World Cup squad . en-GB . BBC Sport . 2023-03-22.
  16. Web site: Doel . Jon . 2016-10-18 . Wales rugby squad announcement LIVE . 2023-03-22 . WalesOnline . en.