Ben Mitchell (rugby union)
{{Short description|Irish rugby union player}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2021}}
{{Use Hiberno-English|date=June 2021}}
{{Infobox rugby biography
| name = Ben Mitchell
| image =
| birth_name = Ben Mitchell
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1994|04|06|df=y}}
| birth_place = Nottingham, United Kingdom
| height = {{height|m=2.01}}
| weight = 245 lb
| school = Midleton College, Ireland
| university = University College Cork, Ireland
| ru_currentposition = Lock
| ru_currentteam = Rugby Football Club Los Angeles
| amatyears1 =
| amatyears2 =
| amatyears3 = 2012–2017
| amatyears4 = 2016–
| amatteam1 = Youghal RFC
| amatteam2 = Midleton College
| amatteam3 = University College Cork RFC
| amatteam4 = Gentlemen of Aspen
| amatapps1 =
| amatpoints1 =
| ru_amupdate =
| ru_currentclub =
| years1 = 2018–2019
| years2 = 2020–2022
| years3 = 2023
| years4 = 2024-
| clubs1 = Austin Elite
| clubs2 = San Diego Legion
| clubs3 = Seattle Seawolves
| clubs4 = Rugby Football Club Los Angeles
| apps1 = 23
| apps2 = 31
| apps3 = 11
| points1 = 20
| points2 = 15
| ru_clubupdate = 29 April 2024
| superyears1 =
| super1 =
| superapps1 =
| superpoints1 =
| super14update =
| provinceyears1 =
| province1 =
| provinceapps1 =
| provincepoints1 =
| repyears1 = 2021
| repteam1 = USA Selects
| repcaps1 = 2
| reppoints1 =
| ru_ntupdate =
}}
Ben Mitchell (born 6 April 1994) is an English-born Irish professional rugby union player who is currently a lock. {{As of|2024}}, he is with the United States team Rugby Football Club Los Angeles in Major League Rugby (MLR).
He previously played for Youghal RFC, University College Cork in Ireland, the Gentlemen of Aspen RFC of Colorado, Austin Elite, San Diego Legion and Seattle Seawolves.
Career
Mitchell was educated at the independent Midleton College and then at University College Cork (UCC), both of which have produced leading rugby players. At UCC, he studied Commerce and joined University College Cork RFC. In his first year and a half, he played in the university club's under-20 team, then in 2014 joined the senior team in the All Ireland League, remaining on the team until halfway through the 2017/18 season. In 2015/2016, UCC RFC was promoted to Division 1 of the League.[https://www.the42.ie/ben-mitchell-austin-major-league-rugby-ucc-4022671-May2018/ Cork man Mitchell making big impression in Major League Rugby in the US] dated 20 May 2018 at the42.ie, accessed 21 April 2019 In 2016 and 2017, Mitchell was selected for the Irish Universities to play the English Universities.{{cite web | url=https://sport.ucc.ie/rugby-6-ucc-players-make-irish-universities-squad/ | title=Rugby – 6 UCC players make Irish Universities Squad | publisher=University College Cork | location=Ireland | accessdate=20 June 2021}} He was UCC RFC player of the year for the 2016/17 season and played his last game for the team in November 2017. At the end of the 2016 AIL season Mitchell was selected on the bench for a Munster Rugby A/Development side against the Irish under 20s team https://www.the42.ie/donnacha-ryan-munster-development-ireland-u20s-2776050-May2016 /
In 2016 and 2017, Mitchell was a summer player for the Gentlemen of Aspen in the Rocky Mountain Summer League, starring in the Ruggerfest tournament in 2017. In October 2017 he signed a two-year contract with Austin Elite to join the team for the inaugural Major League Rugby season of 2018 and was re-signed in January 2019.[https://djcoilrugby.com/2019/01/15/austin-elite-rugby-ben-mitchell-2019/ Austin Elite Rugby Re-Signs Ben Mitchell], djcoilrugby.com, 15 January 2019, accessed 21 April 2019
In 2018 and 2019 Mitchell played as lock for Austin in every game but one. In 2019 he became team captain, taking over from Andrew Suniula. In 2018 Mitchell was named on the All-MLR 1st team and was regarded as the best lock in the competition.{{Cite web|url=https://www.majorleague.rugby/news/major-league-rugby-announces-first-and-second-all-mlr-teams/|title=Major League Rugby Announces First and Second All-MLR Teams}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.americasrugbynews.com/2018/07/12/2018-major-league-rugby-dream-team/|title = 2018 Major League Rugby Dream Team|date = 12 July 2018}}
In 2019 he again achieved All-MLR honors by being named on the All-MLR 2nd team.{{Cite web|url=https://www.majorleague.rugby/news/major-league-rugby-announces-first-and-second-all-mlr-teams-award-winners-for-2019/|title = Major League Rugby announces first and second All-MLR teams, award winners for 2019}}
In August 2019 he was signed by San Diego Legion, in what was seen as a major blow for the Austin franchise. In late 2020 he will qualify for the United States national rugby union team by residency in the US and is predicted to be of interest to the selectors.[http://www.americasrugbynews.com/2019/08/20/ben-mitchell-leaves-austin-for-san-diego/ Ben Mitchell leaves Austin for San Diego], americasrugbynews.com, 19 August 2019
In 2019 he was named as the head coach of the Gentlemen of Aspen.{{Cite web|url=https://www.aspentimes.com/news/ben-mitchell-takes-over-as-aspen-rugby-coach/|title = Major League Rugby star Ben Mitchell takes over as Aspen rugby club coach}} He helped the Gentlemen of Aspen to the 2021 Ruggerfest title as player/coach.{{Cite web|url=https://www.aspentimes.com/news/gents-rally-back-against-raptors-to-win-aspen-ruggerfest-in-its-return/|title=Gents rally back against Raptors to win Aspen Ruggerfest in thrilling return}}
He was resigned by San Diego Legion for 2020–21.[https://djcoilrugby.com/2020/08/26/san-diego-legion-ben-mitchell-2021/ San Diego Legion Re-Signs Ben Mitchell], djcoilrugby.com, 26 August 2020
In October 2021 Mitchell was selected for the United States national rugby union team Selects team to play in the Americas Pacific Challenge in Uruguay. Mitchell played in both games in Uruguay against Chile A and Brazil A and was singled out by head coach Mike Tolkin as one of the USA’s standout performers on the tour.{{cite web | url=https://www.usa.rugby/2021/11/coach-tolkins-takeaways-from-the-2021-americas-pacific-challenge/ | title=Coach Tolkin's takeaways from the 2021 Americas Pacific Challenge | date=12 November 2021 }}
Mitchell became the 14th player in Major League Rugby history to play 50 times in the competition.{{cite web | url=https://www.majorleague.rugby/news/ben-mitchell-reaches-50-caps/ | title=Ben Mitchell Reaches 50 Caps }}
Mitchell was named in the All-MLR 1st team for the 2022 season.{{cite web | url=https://www.majorleague.rugby/news/major-league-rugby-announces-2022-first-and-second-all-mlr-teams-and-honorable-mention/ | title=MAJOR LEAGUE RUGBY ANNOUNCES 2022 FIRST AND SECOND ALL-MLR TEAMS, AND HONORABLE MENTION }}
This was Mitchell’s 3rd All-MLR selection in 5 seasons, having been named on the 1st Team in 2018 and 2nd Team in 2019.
In the 2022 MLR offseason it was announced that Mitchell had signed a multi-year contract with the Seattle Seawolves franchise ahead of the 2023 MLR Season.{{cite web | url=https://seawolves.rugby/news/seawolves-acquire-legion-lock-mitchell-in-trade-signs-multiyear-contract-with-seattle/ | title= SEAWOLVES ACQUIRE LEGION LOCK MITCHELL IN TRADE, SIGNS MULTIYEAR CONTRACT WITH SEATTLE }}
In April 2024 RFCLA confirmed the signing of Mitchell to bolster their squad for the remainder of the 2024 MLR season. Mitchell returned to MLR after spending time away from the sport to focus on professional life outside of Rugby. General Manager of RFCLA, Mark Carney had the following to say on RFCLA's newest addition: “We are excited to welcome Ben to RFCLA for 2024. Ben has a wealth of experience in the MLR and will be a vital member of the squad as we continue to develop our team identity".{{cite web | url=https://rugbyfcla.com/news/latest/rfcla-make-three-key-signing-mid-season-in-adams-mitchell-and-yun/ | title=RFCLA MAKE THREE KEY SIGNINGS IN ADAMS, MITCHELL AND YUN }}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.americasrugbynews.com/player/ben-mitchell/ Ben Mitchell] at americasrugbynews.com
- [https://www.ultimaterugby.com/player/view/13472 Ben Mitchell] at ultimaterugby.com
- {{ItsRugby|41666}}
- [https://www.majorleague.rugby/players/ben-mitchell/ Ben Mitchell] at majorleague.rugby
{{RFC Los Angeles squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mitchell, Ben}}
Category:Alumni of University College Cork
Category:Austin Gilgronis players
Category:Irish expatriate rugby union players in the United States
Category:People educated at Midleton College
Category:Rugby union players from Nottingham
Category:English rugby union players
Category:Irish rugby union players
Category:American rugby union players
Category:San Diego Legion players
Category:Seattle Seawolves players
Category:University College Cork RFC players