Jack Dempsey (rugby union)

John Francis Dempsey (born 12 April 1994) is a professional rugby union player who plays as a number eight for United Rugby Championship club Glasgow Warriors. Born in Australia, he represents Scotland at international level after qualifying on ancestry grounds.[1][2]

Jack Dempsey
Dempsey representing Australia in 2017.
Full nameJohn Francis Dempsey
Date of birth (1994-04-12) 12 April 1994 (age 30)
Place of birthSydney, New South Wales, Australia
Height1.90 m (6 ft 3 in)
Weight108 kg (238 lb; 17 st 0 lb)
SchoolSt. Ignatius' College
UniversityUniversity of Technology Sydney
Notable relative(s)Tony Dempsey (uncle)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Number 8, Flanker
Current team Glasgow Warriors
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2013–2020 Gordon 34 (140)
2014–2018 Sydney 18 (28)
2015–2021 Waratahs 52 (40)
2021– Glasgow Warriors 43 (40)
Correct as of 24 March 2024
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2012 Australia U18 5 (0)
2013–2014 Australia U20 10 (0)
2017–2019 Australia 14 (5)
2022– Scotland 20 (5)
Correct as of 24 March 2024

Club career

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Dempsey played for Gordon. He helped the club win the 2020 Shute Shield.[3] Dempsey played domestically in Australia for the North Harbour Rays who compete in the National Rugby Championship.[4] He was then called up by the Waratahs.

Dempsey moved to Scotland in 2021 to play for Glasgow Warriors. He has relatives in the city, as his grandfather emigrated to Glasgow from Australia. Of the move to the Warriors, Dempsey stated:[5]

The history that Glasgow has with fast-paced footie – with quick ruck speed – is something which very much suits my game. So, it is kind of a combination of wanting a character like me to add depth and being that tool in the tool chest within the back-row, but also I do suit the identity and style that Glasgow want to play as well.

Dempsey made his debut for Glasgow in the 'Clash of the Warriors' pre-season fixture with Worcester, with Glasgow winning the inaugural cup 27 - 22.[6] He made his competitive debut for Glasgow in the 24 September 2021 match against Ulster away at Ravenhill Stadium in the United Rugby Championship - earning the Glasgow Warrior No. 331.[7]

At the end of a successful season Dempsey was awarded The XVIth Warrior Player of the Year award by the official supporters club.

International career

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Dempsey represented Australia at schoolboy and under-20 level.[4] He was capped for Australia against Italy, coming off the bench at Lang Park in Brisbane on 24 June 2017.[8][9] Dempsey was a member of the Wallabies 2019 Rugby World Cup squad[10] which were knocked out in the quarter-finals in Japan,[11] but did not play for Australia after that.[12]

After a three-year stand-down period from international rugby, Dempsey made his debut for Scotland on 29th October 2022 against Australia, the country he previously played for.[13] In 2023 Dempsey was selected in the 33 player squad for the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.[14]

References

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  1. ^ "Jack Dempsey Waratahs Player Profile". Waratahs. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 9 November 2015.
  2. ^ "Jack Dempsey itsrugby Player Statistics". itsrugby. Retrieved 9 November 2015.
  3. ^ "Wallabies back-rower Dempsey signs for Glasgow Warriors". Glasgow Warriors.
  4. ^ a b "Jack Dempsey North Harbour Rays Player Profile". Rays Rugby. Retrieved 9 November 2015.
  5. ^ Barnes, David (21 August 2021). "Jack Dempsey dives in at the deep-end as a Glasgow Warrior". The Offside Line.
  6. ^ "Worcester Warriors 22-27 Glasgow Warriors". Glasgow Warriors. Archived from the original on 11 September 2021. Retrieved 11 September 2021.
  7. ^ @GlasgowWarriors (24 September 2021). "An unforgettable occasion for our 5⃣ new Warriors tonight, despite the result.#329 @BradThyer #330 @siberghan #…" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  8. ^ "Australia v Italy". ESPN scrum. Retrieved 17 November 2022.
  9. ^ Payten, Iain (15 February 2019). "The unusual reason why Jack Dempsey doesn't do self-doubt | Latest Rugby News | RUGBY.com.au". www.rugby.com.au. Retrieved 17 November 2022.
  10. ^ world.rugby. "Experienced Wallabies squad named for Japan | Rugby World Cup". www.rugbyworldcup.com. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
  11. ^ "England beat Australia to make semis". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
  12. ^ Bean, Graham (5 May 2022). "Jack Dempsey on the possibility of switching from Australia to Scotland - 'I'm going to have a deep think'". The Scotsman. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
  13. ^ "Late agony for Kinghorn as Australia edge Scotland". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
  14. ^ "Scotland squad named for Rugby World Cup 2023". Scottish Rugby Union.
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