Billy Sela
{{Short description|English rugby union player}}
{{EngvarB|date=April 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox rugby biography
| name = Billy Sela
| image =
| caption =
| birth_name = Vilikesa Sela
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|2005|4|12|df=yes}}{{cite web|url= https://www.ultimaterugby.com/billy-sela|website=Ultimate Rugby|title=Billy Sela|accessdate=24 April 2024}}
| birth_place =
| height = {{convert|1.92|m|ftin|0|abbr=on}}
| weight = {{convert|116|kg|stlb lb|0|abbr=on}}{{cite web|url= https://all.rugby/player/billy-sela#google_vignette|website=All Rugby|accessdate=24 April 2024|title=Billy Sela}}
| position = Prop
| amatyears1 =
| amatteam1 = Royal Wooton Bassett
| ru_amupdate =
| repteam1 = England U18s
| repteam2 = England U20s
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| clubs1 = Bath
| apps1 =
| points1 =
| ru_clubupdate =
| ru_currentclub = Bath
| province1 =
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| school = Beechen Cliff School
| university = University of Bath
}}
Vilikesa "Billy" Sela (born 12 April 2005) is an English rugby union player who plays as a prop forward for Bath Rugby.
Early life
Sela is from Hounslow and of Fijian descent.{{Cite web|url=https://www.discountmags.com/magazine/rugby-world-february-1-2024-digital/in-this-issue/10?srsltid=AfmBOorQNN0QBYdUk7DJPJyI4mZxGSfmVY-BQied-feOdS0OUbQy_5oZ|title=Rising world|work=Rugby World|first=Josh|last=Graham|date=1 February 2024|accessdate=7 November 2024}} He attended Beechen Cliff School in Bath, England. Having first played rugby at Royal Wootton Bassett, he joined Bath Rugby Academy at 15 years-old. He later attended the University of Bath.{{cite web|url=https://www.therugbypaper.co.uk/features/young-gun/412141/billysela-bath-prop/amp/|website=The Rugby Paper|title=Young Guns:Billy Sela|accessdate=24 April 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://www.talkingrugbyunion.co.uk/billy-sela-exclusive-bucs-super-rugby-has-prepared-us-well-for-these-six-nations-games/39819.htm|website=Talking Rugby Union|accessdate=24 April 2024|title= Billy Sela Exclusive: 'BUCS Super Rugby has prepared me well for these Six Nations games'|first=Ben|last=King|date= 23 February 2024}}
Club career
He was part of the senior academy intake for Bath Rugby ahead of the 2023–24 season.{{cite web|url=https://www.hugerugby.news/premiership/bath-confirm-2023-24-squad/|website=Huge Rugby|accessdate=24 April 2024|title= Bath confirm 2023/24 squad|date=July 27, 2023}} He featured for the Bath first team in pre-season friendly matches ahead of the 2024–25 season with the Bath coaching staff confirming he was part of their first team plans.{{cite web|url= https://www.rugbypass.com/news/the-bath-prediction-about-billy-sela-their-u20s-world-cup-winner/|website=Rugby Pass|accessdate=19 September 2024|date=19 September 2024|title= The Bath prediction about Billy Sela, their U20s World Cup winner|first=Liam|last= Heagney}} He was named amongst the match day substitutes for Bath's Premiership Rugby match on 29 September 2024 against Leicester Tigers, making his senior debut as a second half replacement.{{cite web|title= Premiership: Anthony Watson returns after nine-month absence as fellow England stars earn first starts of the season|first=Colin|last=Newboult|url=https://www.planetrugby.com/news/premiership-anthony-watson-returns-after-nine-month-absence-as-fellow-england-stars-earn-first-starts-of-the-season|website=Planet Rugby|date=27 September 2024|accessdate=27 September 2024}}{{cite web|title=Bath Rugby player ratings from Leicester Tigers victory – 'Reached a new level'|first1=Olly|last1=Darcy|first2=John|last2=Evely|url= https://www.somersetlive.co.uk/sport/other-sport/bath-rugby-player-ratings-leicester-9590644|date=29 September 2024|accessdate=1 October 2024}} He was named in the Bath starting XV for his European Rugby Champions Cup debut against Benetton Rugby on 15 December 2024.{{cite web|title= Benetton v Bath Rugby team news live announcements ahead of Champions Cup clash|website=Somerset Live|date=13 December 2024|accessdate=13 December 2024|first=John|last=Evely|url=https://www.somersetlive.co.uk/sport/other-sport/benetton-bath-rugby-team-news-9790037}}
International career
He played for England at U18 and U20 level, and was a member of the England U20 squad which won the 2024 World Rugby U20 Championship.{{cite web|url= https://www.bathrugby.com/content/international-watch-sela-and-treacey-named-for-u18-international-series|website=Bath Rugby|accessdate=24 April 2024|title= International watch: Sela and Treacey named for U18 International series}} In November 2024, he was called-up to the England A national rugby union team.{{cite web|url= https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/2024/11/06/gabriel-ibitoye-england-a-squad-australia-fixture/|website=The Daily Telegraph|accessdate=7 November 2024|title= Gabriel Ibitoye called up to England A squad for Australia fixture|first=Charlie|last=Morgan|date=6 November 2024}}
Honours
;England U20
- World Rugby Under 20 Championship
- {{Gold1}} Champion (1): 2024
References
{{reflist}}
{{Bath Rugby squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sela, Billy}}
Category:English people of Fijian descent
Category:English rugby union players
Category:People educated at Beechen Cliff School
Category:Rugby union players from the London Borough of Hounslow