Mark Ring
| Full name | Mark Gerarde Ring | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 15 October 1962 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Cardiff, Wales | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | Lady Mary High School, Cardiff | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Occupation(s) | Businessman | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Position(s) | Centre | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Amateur team(s) | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Points) |
| National team(s) | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Points) |
| 1983–1991 | Wales | 32 | ((34)) |
Mark Gerarde Ring (born 15 October 1962) played rugby union for Cardiff RFC, Pontypool RFC and Wales between 1982 and 1996. He was regarded as among the most gifted players of his generation but his career was hampered by serious injury.
A great entertainer, Ring was noted for his cheek, flair and individual skill. He first came to attention as outside half for the Cardiff RFC Youth team where he gained selection for Wales Youth, scoring a try on debut v England. He made his senior debut as an 18-year-old during his Youth season against Cote Des Basques in Biarritz for whom a certain Serge Blanco scored 3 tries! He played in and won 3 Welsh Cup Finals and played for Cardiff when they defeated the 1984 Australian Tourists who completed the Grand Slam of Tests but yet again, failed to defeat a Cardiff Team who still remain unbeaten against every Australian Touring team who ever crossed these shores. He became a great crowd favourite with his hometown club but also spent a few seasons at Pontypool RFC where he formed a notable half back partnership with David Bishop (rugby, born 1960) in 1987-88 and where there were only two defeats suffered all season and they remained undefeated away from home. He returned to Pontypool RFC in 1992. He was a Club Championship winner for both Cardiff and Pontypool. He played more than 250 games for Cardiff and scored 94 tries and 677 points.
He made his Senior Wales debut against England as a 20-year-old and went on to gain 32 International Caps between 1983 and 1991. The highlight of his international career came in 1988 when he was part of a Triple Crown winning Welsh side. The majority of his caps were won in the centre position but he played in his favoured outside half role throughout the 1991 Rugby World Cup. He played in 2 World Cups (1987 & 1991) Wales finished 3rd in 1987, having defeated Australia in the 3rd & 4th place play off in Rotarua but failed to qualify from their group in 1991, having been surprisingly defeated by Western Samoa. Ring played 2 Test Matches for The Barbarians losing against the 1984 Australians and defeating the 1991 Argentinian Touring Team where he formed a brilliant Centre partnership with New Zealand Centre Craig Innes. Ring was selected for 2 World XV Touring Squads, one to celebrate the Western Province Centenary in 1983 and the other to celebrate the South African Rugby Board's Centenary in 1989. He Captained Wales on 2 occasions when Wales Toured Namibia in 1991, though not in any of the Tests. Ring was Wales' Rugby Writers Player of the Year in 1985, when Ieuan Evans was Wales' Young Player award winner.
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