Nick Macleod (born 23 March 1983 in Cardiff, Wales) is a former professional rugby union player who played for Cardiff Blues, Sale Sharks and Newport Gwent Dragons. Primarily a fly-half, Macleod also played at Fullback.
| Birth name | Nick Macleod | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Date of birth | 23 March 1983 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Cardiff, Wales | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 87 kg (13 st 10 lb)[1] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | Bishop of Llandaff | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Professional career
editMacleod came through the Cardiff Blues system, playing for the U21 side, and made his debut for Cardiff RFC in November 2001 against Cambridge University.[2] Macleod played for Wales U19 in 2002, and Wales U21 in 2004.[3][4] Macleod made his debut for Cardiff Blues on 5 September 2003, against Glasgow, scoring a try.[2][5]
Macleod was selected for Wales for the 2006 Wales rugby union tour of Argentina, in place of the injured Hal Luscombe. Macleod did not gain a cap during the tour, and ultimately never achieved a Wales cap.[6]
In April 2008, it was announced that Macleod would leave Cardiff to sign for the Sale Sharks on a two-year deal.[7] Macleod departed Cardiff with 82 appearances and scored 240 points.[2]
Macleod began the 2010–11 season as Sale's fly-half in the absence of the team's first choice, Charlie Hodgson; when Hodgson returned in late September he took over the position.[8] In a Challenge Cup match for Sale against Cetransa El Salvador on 8 October 2010, Macleod equalled the club's record for most points scored in a game by a single player. When fly-half Charlie Hodgson, who previously held the record, was rested at half-time Macleod took over goal kicking. With two tries and eight successful conversions, Macleod scored 26 points in the match.[9] The following month, Macleod experienced what he described a "highlight of [his] career so far" when he stepped up to captain Sale in a 24–19 defeat to Exeter. Regular captain Neil Briggs was unavailable due to injury and Macleod filled the position.[10] Hodgson suffered a broken foot in December, ruling him out for several months. In his absence, Macleod took the role of Sale's regular fly-half.[11] Macleod's elevation to the captaincy was temporary and winger Mark Cueto was appointed captain in late December 2010 by new coach Pete Anglesea,[12] who replaced Mike Brewer as Sale had won just three out of nine matches in the 2010–11 season.[13]
Hodgson left at the end of the 2010–11 season and the club chose not to sign a new fly-half. This meant that Macleod would be given a regular chance in the position.[14] He had a successful run, scoring 231 points by mid-February when he signed a two-year extension on his contract.[15] Macleod signed a further extension in November 2013.[16]
MacLeod joined Newport Gwent Dragons for the 2016–17 season and made six appearances before suffering a ligament injury which eventually forced him to retire from professional rugby; he now works as a baker in Cardiff.[17]
References
edit- ^ "Aviva Premiership Rugby – Sale Sharks". web page. Premier Rugby. Archived from the original on 16 June 2012. Retrieved 24 September 2011.
- ^ a b c "Nick Macleod". Cardiff Rugby. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
- ^ "Wales U19 9 New Zealand Schools 17 - Welsh Rugby Union". Welsh Rugby Union | Wales & Regions. 16 January 2002. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
- ^ "Wales U21 39-6 Scotland U21". BBC Sport. 13 February 2004. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
- ^ "Glasgow give Cardiff blues". BBC Sport. 5 September 2003. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
- ^ "Macleod Joins Wales Squad in Argentina". Cardiff Rugby. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
- ^ Thomas, Simon (10 April 2008). "Blues star Macleod on way to Sale". WalesOnline. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
- ^ Hodgson's timely return boosts Sale, scrum.com, 27 September 2010, retrieved 7 December 2010
- ^ Sale 97–11 Cetransa El Salvador, BBC Sport, 8 October 2010, retrieved 25 October 2010
- ^ Leigh, Neil (30 November 2010), Top tip for Sale Sharks, Manchester Evening News, retrieved 30 November 2010
- ^ Spink, Alex (7 December 2010), "Charlie Hodgson's unlucky break opens door for Jonny", Daily Mirror, retrieved 11 December 2010
- ^ Winger Mark Cueto given Sale Sharks captaincy, BBC Sport, 29 December 2010, retrieved 31 December 2010
- ^ Sale Sharks sack head coach Mike Brewer, BBC Sport, 23 December 2010, retrieved 23 December 2010
- ^ Nick Macleod enjoying fly-half responsibility at Sale, BBC Sport, 22 September 2011, retrieved 20 April 2012
- ^ Sale's Dwayne Peel, Marc Jones & Nick Macleod sign new deals, BBC Sport, 8 February 2012, retrieved 20 April 2012
- ^ "Aviva Premiership: Nick Macleod and Ross Harrison sign new deals with Sale Sharks". Sky Sports. 28 November 2013. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
- ^ How a former Welsh rugby star became a celebrated baker following an injury, WalesOnline, 9 March 2018, retrieved 7 December 2020