Christian Wade

England international rugby union & American football player

Rugby player
Christian Wade
Wade for England in 2012
Full nameChristian Wade
Date of birth (1991-05-15) 15 May 1991 (age 33)
Place of birthSlough, England
Height1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Weight85 kg (187 lb; 13 st 5 lb)
SchoolRoyal Grammar School, High Wycombe
UniversitySt Mary's University College
Rugby union career
Position(s) Wing
Current team Gloucester
Youth career
Chinnor R.F.C.
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2011–2018 Wasps 165 (497)
2022–2024 Racing 92 25 (50)
2024– Gloucester 0 (0)
Correct as of 3 July 2024
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2009–11 England U20 8 (40)
2011 England A 6 (45)
2013 England 1 (0)
2013 British & Irish Lions 0 (0)
National sevens team
Years Team Comps
2009–2010 England 7s 7
American football player
American football career
No. 45
Position:Running back
Personal information
Born: (1991-05-15) 15 May 1991 (age 33)
Slough, England
Height:5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Weight:196 lb (89 kg)
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only

Christian Wade (born 15 May 1991) is an English professional rugby union footballer, and former American football player, currently playing as a wing for Gloucester.

Wade played for Wasps for seven seasons and scored 82 tries in Premiership Rugby, English elite rugby union division, which places him fifth in the best try scorers list.[1] In October 2018, he switched to American football to pursue a career in the National Football League. He spent three seasons as a running back for NFL franchise Buffalo Bills's practice squad and then returned to rugby in August 2022.

In 2013, Wade was called up to the England national team and played his solitary game for his country against Argentina.

Early life

Raised in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, Wade attended Hamilton Primary School and Royal Grammar School.[2] He was not initially interested in rugby union but picked it up as it was the RGS's primary sport.[3] He represented England U16 A, England U18 and England U20, and Wasps at the Middlesex Sevens as a schoolboy. A former district and English Schools athlete, Wade ran a time of 10.8 seconds over the 100m distance at the age of 16. He was trained by the former English sprinter Julian Golding.[4]

After finishing school, Wade studied Sports science and Psychology at St Mary's University College in Twickenham while playing for the Wasps' academy side and then the senior team. As of 14 February 2017, he had a 0.623 tries per game ratio for Wasps with 76 tries in 122 matches. For the England Saxons, Wade had a 1.5 tries per game ratio, scoring nine tries in six matches.

Rugby union career

Club career

Wade made his debut for Wasps RFC in Abu Dhabi on 30 January 2011 against Harlequins by replacing Jack Wallace in the 48th minute of the 13–38 defeat in the 2010–2011 Season.[5] He made three further appearances that season scoring one try against Exeter Chiefs.[6]

Wade had a strong 2011–12 season, when despite missing three months with injury, he finished the season as the second-highest try scorer in the Premiership with nine in 15 games.

At the end of the 2012–13 season, Wade was named both the Players' Player of the Year and the Young Player of the Year after a good season for Wasps.[7] He finished level with club teammate Tom Varndell as the Premiership's joint leading try-scorer with 13.[7] Wade also scored five tries in the 2012–13 European Challenge Cup including their quarter-final defeat against Leinster.[8] Overall he scored 18 tries in 26 appearances in that season.[7]

In the 2013–2014 season, Wade made ten appearances and scored five tries before an injury against London Irish in November ended his season.[9] After eight months of rehabilitation, he made his return against Saracens, scoring two tries in defeat.[10] He scored 12 more tries in the next 21 games.

On 16 April 2016, Wade equalled the Premiership record by scoring six tries in one match against Worcester Warriors.[11] At the end of that campaign he played in a Champions Cup semi-final loss against Saracens.[12] The following 2016–17 season saw Wasps top the table and Wade started in the final which saw them lose to Exeter after extra time to finish runners up.[13]

Return to rugby (2022–present)

Wade made a return to rugby in August 2022 in a sevens tournament for French side Racing 92. A permanent move to the side was confirmed in September 2022.[14] His last appearance for the club came in the 2023–24 Top 14 season quarter-final elimination against Bordeaux Bègles.[15]

In March 2024 Gloucester Rugby announced the signing of Wade for the 2024-25 season.[16]

International career

Sevens

Wade made his international sevens debut at the IRB Sevens World Series in Dubai in December 2009 and he scored 7 tries in George a week later, finishing joint top try scorer with Fijian wizard, William Ryder. He added 2 more in Wellington and three more tries in Las Vegas a week later. He scored 3 in London. Overall, he amassed 22 tries in 7 tournaments in the 2009–10 Series, which made him the 15th highest individual try scorer that season.[17] Wade was selected for the 17-man initial England rugby sevens training squad for the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi.

U20s

Wade was a member of the England U20 squad that finished fourth at the 2010 IRB Junior World Championship and scored his only try of the tournament against hosts Argentina during the pool stage.[18] He was part of the side that completed a grand slam during the 2011 Six Nations Under 20s Championship and scored in the penultimate round against Scotland.[19] Later that year he scored six tries at the 2011 IRB Junior World Championship including in the final against New Zealand which England lost to finish runners up.[20][21]

England, Saxons and Lions

On 27 May 2012, Wade started for England against the Barbarians in an uncapped fixture at Twickenham which saw him score a try while also setting up Jonathan Joseph in the last play of the game with some elusive footwork in a 57-26 victory.[22][23] He was included on the 2012 tour of South Africa and scored a hat-trick during the trip.[24]

Wade was a member of the senior squad for their 2013 tour of Argentina and scored during a warm-up 40-12 victory over the Barbarians.[25][26] On 8 June 2013 Wade made his Test debut playing the whole 80 minutes in a win against Los Pumas.[27] This was ultimately his only cap for England.[1]

Wade was selected for the second game against Argentina the following week but withdrew from the team when he was called up to join the 2013 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia.[28][29] He made his Lions debut on the right wing against the ACT Brumbies Super Rugby side.[30][31]

Wade was initially selected to play against Argentina in the 2013 Autumn Internationals, however a slight hamstring tear meant he had to withdraw from the game.[9] He was overlooked for the 2014 Internationals, but was selected for England Saxons to play against the Irish Wolfhounds.[32] In June 2016 Wade scored the winning try for England Saxons as they completed a series win over South Africa A at Outeniqua Park.[33]

International tries

Try Opposing team Location Venue Competition Date Result Score
† Barbarians London, England Twickenham Summer International 27 May 2012 Win 57 – 26 [23]
‡ x3 South African Barbarians (South) Kimberley, South Africa Griquas Park 2012 Tour of South Africa 13 June 2012 Win 54 – 26 [24]
† Barbarians London, England Twickenham Summer International 26 May 2013 Win 40 – 12 [26]
† Ireland Wolfhounds Cork, Ireland Musgrave Park 30 January 2015 Win 18 – 9 [32]

† Full international cap not awarded for Barbarians Test match.[23][26]

‡ Full international cap not awarded for South African Barbarians South Test match.[24]

American football career

In October 2018, Wade left rugby to pursue a career in the NFL, with Wasps releasing him from his contract.[34][35]

On 8 April 2019, Wade was allocated as a running back to the Buffalo Bills as part of the NFL's International Player Pathway program.[36][37]

Several months later, on 9 August 2019, for his debut with his new team, Wade had a 65-yard touchdown run on his first carry in the pre-season game against the Indianapolis Colts.[38]

On 31 August 2019, Wade was waived by the Bills and signed to the practice squad the next day.[39][40][41] He signed a reserve/future contract with the Bills on 6 January 2020.[42]

On 27 April 2020, Wade was given a roster exemption as an international player for a second season.[43] He was waived on 5 September 2020, and signed to the practice squad the next day.[44][45] He was placed on the practice squad/COVID-19 list by the team on 28 December 2020,[46] and restored to the practice squad four days later.[47] On 26 January 2021, Wade signed a reserves/futures contract with the Bills.[48]

On 4 May 2021, Wade was given a roster exemption as an international player for a third season.[49] On 1 April 2022, he was released by the Bills.[50]

References

  1. ^ a b Jones, Chris (29 October 2018). "Christian Wade: Ex-Wasps winger says England's size obsession limited him to one cap". BBC Sport. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  2. ^ Turnbull, Simon (5 November 2011). "Christian Wade: Float like a butterfly, sting like a Wasp". The Independent. Retrieved 1 February 2013.
  3. ^ Kitson, Robert (21 December 2012). "Christian Wade: There's a place for a winger like me". The Guardian. Retrieved 1 February 2013.
  4. ^ Cleary, Mick (7 September 2012). "Stuart Lancaster says Wasps wing Christian Wade will have more opportunities for England". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 1 February 2013.
  5. ^ "Wasps 13-38 Harlequins". BBC Sport. 30 January 2011. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  6. ^ "Exeter 21-8 Wasps". BBC Sport. 7 May 2011. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  7. ^ a b c "Wasps wing Christian Wade wins double at awards". BBC Sport. 23 May 2013. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  8. ^ Schofield, Daniel (6 April 2013). "London Wasps 28 Leinster 48: Lions hopeful Christian Wade creates a buzz but Wasps are outclassed". The Times. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  9. ^ a b "Christian Wade: Six Nations blow for England & Wasps wing". BBC Sport. 2 December 2013. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  10. ^ "Premiership: Saracens 34–28 Wasps". BBC Sport. 6 September 2014. Retrieved 14 January 2017.
  11. ^ "Christian Wade: Wasps winger's six tries 'a reminder' to England coach Eddie Jones". BBC Sport. 18 April 2016. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  12. ^ Williams, Adam (23 April 2016). "Champions Cup: Saracens beat Wasps to reach final". BBC Sport. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  13. ^ Law, James (27 May 2017). "Premiership final: Wasps 20-23 Exeter Chiefs (aet)". BBC Sport. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  14. ^ "Christian Wade: Racing 92 sign former England winger after three-year NFL career at Buffalo Bills". Sky Sports. 12 September 2022. Retrieved 12 September 2022.
  15. ^ "Bordeaux Bègles 31-17 Racing". BBC Sport. 16 June 2024. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  16. ^ "Christian Wade: Gloucester sign Racing 92 winger for start of next season". BBC Sport. 13 March 2024. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  17. ^ "Leaders make strong start in Hong Kong". Belfast Telegraph. 26 March 2010. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  18. ^ "Argentina 22-48 England". World Rugby. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  19. ^ Mudaly, Lesleigh (14 March 2011). "England U20 chalk up a confident win over Scotland". Rugby World. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  20. ^ Pengelly, Martin (26 June 2011). "New Zealand beat England in IRB Junior World Championship final". The Guardian. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  21. ^ Mole, Giles (18 January 2019). "Dan Robson joins the club: How 2011 world junior final between England and New Zealand spawned 27 Test stars". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  22. ^ "England debut for Wade". Sky Sports. 25 May 2012. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  23. ^ a b c Standley, James (27 May 2012). "England 57-26 Barbarians". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 March 2014.
  24. ^ a b c "England unconvincing in win over SA Southern Barbarians". BBC Sport. 13 June 2012. Retrieved 18 March 2014.
  25. ^ Kitson, Robert (8 May 2013). "England make Tom Wood captain for Argentina as Chris Robshaw is rested". The Guardian. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  26. ^ a b c "England 40-12 Barbarians: Freddie Burns shines in win". BBC Sport. 26 May 2013. Retrieved 18 March 2014.
  27. ^ Lowe, Alex (8 June 2013). "Argentina 3 England 32 match report: Christian Wade excels on debut in England rout". The Independent. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  28. ^ "Lions 2013: Christian Wade & Brad Barritt drafted into squad". BBC Sport. 15 June 2013. Retrieved 14 January 2017.
  29. ^ "Wade handed Lions call-up". espn.co.uk. Retrieved 15 June 2013.
  30. ^ Cleary, Mick (17 June 2013). "Lions 2013: Shane Williams backs England's Christian Wade to deliver against ACT Brumbies in Canberra". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  31. ^ Palmer, Bryn (18 June 2013). "Lions 2013: Lions lose their 100% record as Brumbies earn 14-12 win". BBC Sport. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  32. ^ a b "England Saxons win away to Ireland Wolfhounds". BBC Sport. 30 January 2015. Retrieved 18 March 2015.
  33. ^ "England Saxons fight back to down South Africa 'A' and complete series whitewash". Sky Sports. 17 June 2016. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  34. ^ Jones, Chris (19 October 2018). "Christian Wade: Wasps winger quits rugby union for NFL career". BBC Sport. Retrieved 19 October 2018.
  35. ^ "Christian Wade: Wasps release NFL-bound winger from contract". BBC Sport. 24 October 2018. Retrieved 24 October 2018.
  36. ^ "Christian Wade: Ex-England winger signs for Buffalo Bills". BBC Sport. 9 April 2019. Retrieved 9 April 2019.
  37. ^ Brown, Chris (8 April 2019). "NFL International player Christian Wade allocated to the Bills". BuffaloBills.com. Archived from the original on 9 April 2019. Retrieved 9 April 2019.
  38. ^ "Christian Wade: Ex-Wasps player scores sensational 65-yard touchdown on Buffalo Bills debut". BBC Sport. 9 August 2019. Retrieved 9 August 2019.
  39. ^ "Christian Wade: Buffalo Bills choose not to pick former rugby player in NFL roster". BBC Sport. 31 August 2019.
  40. ^ Brown, Chris (31 August 2019). "Bills cut roster down to 53 players". BuffaloBills.com.
  41. ^ Brown, Chris (1 September 2019). "Bills begin to assemble practice squad, Christian Wade holds 11th exempt spot". BuffaloBills.com.
  42. ^ Brown, Chris (6 January 2020). "Bills sign 10 reserve/future free agents". BuffaloBills.com.
  43. ^ "Four International Players Added to Rosters for 2020 Season". NFL.com. 27 April 2020. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
  44. ^ Brown, Chris (5 September 2020). "Bills announce these moves to get to the 53-man roster limit". BuffaloBills.com.
  45. ^ "Bills announce the initial 2020 practice squad". BuffaloBills.com. 6 September 2020.
  46. ^ "Bills activate John Brown and place him on Reserve/COVID-19 list". BuffaloBills.com. 28 December 2020. Retrieved 9 February 2021.
  47. ^ Glab, Maddy (1 January 2021). "Bills activate John Brown from Reserve/COVID-19 list + announce these other moves". BuffaloBills.com. Retrieved 9 February 2021.
  48. ^ "Bills signed these 13 players to reserve/future contracts". www.buffalobills.com. 26 January 2021. Archived from the original on 26 January 2021. Retrieved 27 January 2021.
  49. ^ "Four Players Added to 2021 Rosters Through International Player Pathway Program". NFL.com. 4 May 2021. Retrieved 5 May 2021.
  50. ^ "Buffalo Bills release RB Christian Wade". billswire.usatoday.com. April 2022. Retrieved 15 January 2023.

External links

  • Christian Wade at ESPNscrum
  • England Rugby Profile at the Wayback Machine (archived 2013-01-16)
  • Wasps Profile
  • Power of 10 Profile
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