Donald William Burland (22 January 1908 – 26 January 1976) was an English international rugby union player.[1]

Don Burland
Full nameDonald William Burland
Date of birth(1908-01-22)22 January 1908
Place of birthBristol, England
Date of death26 January 1976(1976-01-26) (aged 68)
Place of deathSt Austell, England
Rugby union career
Position(s) Centre
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
1931–33 England 8 (23)

Burland was born in Bristol and educated at Kingsholme School in Weston-super-Mare. He played soccer during his early years, until taking up rugby union when he moved to the Bristol suburb of Horfield at age 14 and joined a local church side. Three years later was invited to play for Bristol "A".[2]

A centre three-quarter, Burland played in the firsts for Bristol from 1926 to 1934. He was a member of the Gloucestershire side which won three consecutive County Championships during the early 1930s and won eight England caps, debuting in the 1931 Five Nations. His England career included a match against Ireland at Lansdowne Road, where he scored all of England's points in a 11–8 win, with a converted try and two penalties.[3] After two seasons as captain of Bristol, Burland dislocated a shoulder playing against Aldershot Services in 1934, an injury which prematurely ended his career at 26.[2] He scored 118 tries from his 194 appearances for Bristol.[4]

Burland's half-brother, the son of Bristol City goalkeeper Harry Clay, died in the sinking of the HMS Courageous.[5]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "England Rugby player moved to Cornwall". The West Briton. 12 February 1976.
  2. ^ a b "Only Eight Years In Rugby But Don Burland Took Most Of The Honours". Bristol Evening Post. 22 February 1964.
  3. ^ "Rugby international Don Burland dies". Bristol Evening Post. 27 January 1976.
  4. ^ "Mr D Burland". The New Observer. 30 January 1976.
  5. ^ "Bristol Victims of the Courageous". Bristol Evening Post. 21 September 1939.
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