Jim Wheeler (rugby union)

James Reid Wheeler (27 December 1898 — 22 March 1973) was an Irish international rugby union player.

Jim Wheeler

Full name	James Reid Wheeler
Date of birth	(1898-12-27)27 December 1898
Place of birth	Belfast, Ireland
Date of death	22 March 1973(1973-03-22) (aged 74)
Place of death	Belfast, Northern Ireland
School	Methodist College Belfast
University	Queen's University Belfast
Occupation(s)	Ophthalmologist
Rugby union career
Position(s) Outside-half International career Years Team Apps (Points) 1922–24 Ireland 5 (0)

The son of a surgeon, Wheeler was born and raised in Belfast, attending Methodist College Belfast. He enlisted with the Royal Artillery in 1917 and was mentioned in despatches during his service.

Wheeler played as an outside-half for Queen's University RFC while a medical student and was capped five times for Ireland, from 1922 to 1924, then became a referee and officiated three Calcutta Cup fixtures.

A specialist in ophthalmology, Wheeler was made a fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh in 1929 and lectured at Queen's University. He remained involved in rugby, serving as president of the IRFU in 1959–60.

See also

• List of Ireland national rugby union players

External links

• Jim Wheeler at ESPNscrum