Rio Dyer

Welsh rugby union footballer

Rugby player

Rio Dyer

Dyer representing Wales during the Six Nations Championship

Date of birth|  (1999-12-21) 21 December 1999 (age 25)
Place of birth| Newport, Wales
Height| 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)
Weight| 84 kg (185 lb; 13 st 3 lb)
School| Newport High School
Bassaleg School
Rugby union career
| Position(s)|  Wing

|

Current team|  Dragons
Senior career
Years|  Team|  Apps|  (Points)
2017–|  Dragons|  65|  (100)
International career
Years|  Team|  Apps|  (Points)
2018–2019|  Wales U20|  7|  (10)
2019|  Wales 7s|  24|  (35)
2022–|  Wales|  23|  (35)

Rio Dyer (born 21 December 1999) is a Welsh professional rugby union player who plays as a wing for United Rugby Championship club Dragons and the Wales national team.

## Club career

[edit]

Dyer began his career playing for the Risca RFC and Pill Harriers RFC youth sides, as well as for Newport High School Old Boys RFC.[1]

While part of the Dragons Academy, Dyer made his professional debut on 27 January 2018, against Saracens in the Anglo-Welsh Cup.[2] His first appearance in the Pro14 came against Benetton Rugby the following month.[3]

Dyer was named man of the match on 4 January 2020, as the Dragons beat regional rivals Ospreys 25–18, with Dyer scoring a try in the victory.[4] In March 2020, Dyer signed his first professional contract with the Dragons.[5] He signed an extension in January 2022.[6]

On 23 October 2022, Dyer again claimed a man of the match award against the Ospreys, scoring twice and propelling the Dragons to a 32–25 win.[7]

On 17 January 2024, Dyer signed a long–term contract extension with the Dragons.[8]

## International career

[edit]

Dyer was a Wales U20 international.[9] He missed the 2019 Six Nations Under 20s Championship to participate in the World Rugby Sevens Series, but rejoined the U20 side for the 2019 World Rugby Under 20 Championship.[10]

On 18 October 2022, Dyer was named in the Wales squad for the 2022 Autumn series.[11] Dyer started against New Zealand on 5 November 2022, and scored the first try for Wales.[12]

Dyer scored his second try for Wales in the final match of the series, a loss against Australia.[13]

Owing to his continued good form, Dyer continued his involvement with the national side, and was named in the Welsh squad for the 2023 Six Nations Championship.[14] Dyer started the first two matches against Ireland and Scotland, but was dropped for the match against England, following Louis Rees-Zammit returning to fitness.

Recalled to the starting team against Italy, he scored his third try for Wales, and secured his first win for the national side.[15] The following week Dyer scored again, against France, securing a try bonus point for Wales as they avoided a wooden spoon finish.[16]

Dyer was named in the Wales squad for the 2023 Rugby World Cup, and appeared in all matches as Wales made the quarter final round.[17]

## Career statistics

[edit]

### List of international tries

[edit]

No.  | Date  | Venue  | Opponent  | Score  | Result  | Competition

|
|
|
|
|
|

1  | 5 November 2022  | Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Wales  |  New Zealand | 5–17  | 23–55  | 2022 end-of-year rugby union internationals
2  | 26 November 2022  | Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Wales  |  Australia | 32–13  | 34–39  | 2022 end-of-year rugby union internationals
3  | 11 March 2023  | Stadio Olimpico, Rome, Italy  |  Italy | 8–0  | 29–17  | 2023 Six Nations Championship
4  | 18 March 2023  | Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France  |  France | 26–41  | 28–41  | 2023 Six Nations Championship
5  | 3 February 2024  | Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Wales  |  Scotland | 10–27  | 26–27  | 2024 Six Nations Championship
6  | 10 March 2024  | Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Wales  |  France | 8–0  | 24–45  | 2024 Six Nations Championship

as of 10 March 2024[update]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Teenage speedster Dyer aiming to build on Dragons debut against Euro champs". South Wales Argus. 29 January 2018. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
2. ^ Sands, Katie (27 April 2021). "New kid Rio Dyer is already one of Wales' fastest players as excitement grows". WalesOnline. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
3. ^ "Dragons 15-18 Benetton Rugby". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
4. ^ "Dragons inflict more misery on Ospreys". BBC Sport. Retrieved 23 January 2023.
5. ^ "Dragon News : Speedster Dyer signs contract". Dragons RFC. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
6. ^ "Dragons back rapid winger to kick on after agreeing new contract". South Wales Argus. 12 January 2022. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
7. ^ "Dyer double gives Dragons Welsh bragging rights". rugby365.com. Retrieved 23 January 2023.
8. ^ "Wales wing Dyer signs new 'multi-year' Dragons deal". BBC Sport. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
9. ^ "Wales name squad for U20 World Championships". itv. 10 May 2018. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
10. ^ worldrugby.org. "Strong sevens influence in Wales U20 Championship squad | World Rugby". www.world.rugby. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
11. ^ "Wales autumn rugby squad announcement as Wayne Pivac names five uncapped players". Wales Online. 18 October 2022. Retrieved 20 October 2022.
12. ^ "Wales v New Zealand Live: Score updates as Justin Tipuric and Rio Dyer claim tries". Wales Online. 5 November 2022. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
13. ^ "Wales 34-39 Australia: Autumn Nations Series – as it happened". the Guardian. 26 November 2022. Retrieved 23 January 2023.
14. ^ "Owens captains new 37-man Wales squad - Welsh Rugby Union". Welsh Rugby Union | Wales & Regions. 17 January 2023. Retrieved 23 January 2023.
15. ^ "Wales secure bonus-point win against Italy in Rome". BBC Sport. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
16. ^ "France beat Wales but Six Nations hopes dashed". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
17. ^ "Wales reveal squad for Rugby World Cup 2023 - Welsh Rugby Union". Welsh Rugby Union | Wales & Regions. 21 August 2023. Retrieved 22 January 2024.

## External links

[edit]

* Rio Dyer at European Professional Club Rugby
* Rio Dyer at Welsh Rugby Union
* Rio Dyer at ESPNscrum
* Rio Dyer at ItsRugby.co.uk
* Rio Dyer at Welsh Rugby Union
* Dragons profile

* v
* t
* e

Dragons – current squad

Forwards|

* James Benjamin
* Ben Carter
* Brodie Coghlan
* Christian Coleman
* Steve Cummins
* Seb Davies
* Elliot Dee
* Levi Douglas
* Robert Hunt
* Solomone Funaki
* Rhodri Jones
* Wyn Jones
* Harrison Keddie
* Dylan Kelleher-Griffiths
* Barny Langton-Cryer
* Dillon Lewis
* Shane Lewis-Hughes
* Mackenzie Martin
* Rodrigo Martínez
* Sam Scarfe
* Matthew Screech
* Aaron Wainwright
* Ryan Woodman
* Luke Yendle
* Thomas Young

Backs|

* Tinus de Beer
* Rio Dyer
* Cai Evans
* Fine Inisi
* Angus O'Brien
* Aneurin Owen
* Fetuli Paea
* David Richards
* Ewan Rosser
* Jared Rosser
* Rhodri Williams

Coach|

* Filo Tiatia

* Sports
* Wales

* v
* t
* e

Wales squad – 2023 Rugby World Cup

Forwards|

* Basham
* Beard
* Dee
* Domachowski
* Elias
* Faletau (ruled out by injury)
* Francis
* Jenkins
* Lake (cc)
* Lewis
* Lydiate
* Morgan (cc)
* Reffell
* Rowlands
* Smith
* G. Thomas
* H. Thomas
* Tshiunza
* Wainwright

Backs|

* Adams
* Anscombe
* Biggar
* Costelow
* G. Davies
* Dyer
* Grady
* Halfpenny
* Hardy (replaced Faletau)
* North
* Rees-Zammit
* Tompkins
* J. Williams
* L. Williams
* T. Williams

* Head coach: Gatland

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