David Bishop (rugby union, born 1983)

David Bishop (born 22 September 1983) is a former Wales rugby union footballer who played at centre. Bishop primarily played for Ospreys, Sale Sharks, and Jersey.

David Bishop
Birth nameDavid Bishop
Date of birth (1983-09-22) 22 September 1983 (age 41)
Place of birthChurch Village, Wales
Height189 cm (6 ft 2 in)
Weight105 kg (16 st 7 lb; 231 lb)
SchoolTreorchy Comprehensive School
UniversityUniversity of Wales Institute Cardiff
Notable relative(s)Andrew Bishop
Rugby union career
Position(s) Centre
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
Treorchy ()
Bridgend ()
2003–2004 Warriors ()
2004–2009 Ospreys 22 (20)
2009–2010 Sale 15 (0)
2010 Dragons 1 (0)
2010 Edinburgh 2 (0)
2011 Birmingham Moseley 6 (0)
2011–2015 Jersey 39 (12)
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2003 Wales U21

Professional career

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Bishop attended Treorchy Comprehensive School Treorchy Comprehensive from September 1995 to July 2002. His brother Andrew, was also a rugby union centre and has played for the Wales national rugby union team. In 2003, Bishop represented Wales at under–21 level.[1]

Bishop began his professional career in the 2003–04 Celtic League, playing for the Celtic Warriors.[2]

He joined the Ospreys in 2004 after the disbandment of the Celtic Warriors, scoring a try on his debut against Munster.[3] In September 2005 suffered a serious knee injury in a game against Munster.[4] At the time, Bishop had recently been called into the training squad for the Wales by head coach Mike Ruddock.[5] This injury kept Bishop out of competitive rugby for nearly three years, first returning to play for Bridgend Ravens in 2007, before making his competitive return to the Ospreys in September 2008, against Glasgow.[6][7] Bishop was released by the Ospreys at the end of the 2008–09 season, making six appearances following his return from injury, and 22 in total for the club.[7]

Following his release, Bishop joined Sale Sharks on a one-year contract.[8] He departed the club at the conclusion of the season.[9]

In August 2010 he joined Newport Gwent Dragons on a two month trial.[10] He made his first appearance in a preseason friendly against London Irish and came off the bench in the first match of the season against Connacht.[11][12] Bishop ultimately did not sign a longer term contract, and subsequently joined Edinburgh on a short term deal.[13]

Following the completion of his contract at Edinburgh, Bishop joined Birmingham Moseley in January 2011.[14] In June 2011, Bishop signed with Neath RFC, but shortly after joined National League One team Jersey, prior to the beginning of the season.[15][16]

During his first season with Jersey, Bishop helped the club gain promotion to the RFU Championship, their fourth promotion in five seasons.[17] Jersey maintained their position in the Championship throughout Bishop's time with the club, narrowly avoiding relegation in 2014.[18] Bishop retired at the end of the 2014–15 season, and served as club captain on numerous occasions.[19]

References

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  1. ^ "Wales U21 win". www.telegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
  2. ^ "Celtic Warriors set for action". 8 July 2003. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
  3. ^ "Winning start for Ospreys over depleted Munster". The Independent. 3 September 2004. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
  4. ^ WalesOnline (11 September 2005). "It's a humbling experience for the Ospreys". WalesOnline. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
  5. ^ WalesOnline (20 August 2009). "David Bishop keen to make fresh start with Sale". WalesOnline. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
  6. ^ "Bishop to make comeback at Ravens". 4 July 2007. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
  7. ^ a b "Centre Bishop released by Ospreys". 21 May 2009. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
  8. ^ "Bishop signs one-year Sharks deal". 28 July 2009. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
  9. ^ Leigh, Neil (17 August 2010). "Exit for Sale Sharks pair". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
  10. ^ Bishop joins Dragons. BBC Sport
  11. ^ "Dragons looking to sign centre Bishop". South Wales Argus. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
  12. ^ "Dragon News : TURNER ANNOUNCES DRAGONS TEAM FOR CONNACHT CLASH". www.dragonsrugby.wales. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
  13. ^ "Bishop signs short-term Edinburgh deal". ESPN scrum. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
  14. ^ Dick, Brian (27 January 2011). "Rugby Notes: Transfer window undermines Championship season". Business Live. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
  15. ^ "Welsh All Blacks sign threequarter trio - Welsh Rugby Union". Welsh Rugby Union | Wales & Regions. 14 June 2011. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
  16. ^ "Jersey reveal three new signings". BBC Sport. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
  17. ^ "Rise and rise of an island side". BBC Sport. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
  18. ^ "Jersey secure Championship survival". BBC Sport. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
  19. ^ "'Job done' for Bishop ahead of Reds departure". ITV. 28 April 2015. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
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