Nick Macleod
{{short description|Welsh rugby union footballer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2021}}
{{Infobox rugby biography
| name = Nick Macleod
| image =
| birth_name = Nick Macleod
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1983|3|23|df=y}}
| birth_place = Cardiff, Wales
| height = {{convert|1.85|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| school = Bishop of Llandaff
| position = Fly-half, Full-back
| years1 = 2001–2007
| years2 = 2003–2008
| years3 = 2008–2016
| years4 = 2016–2017
| clubs1 = Cardiff RFC
| clubs2 = Cardiff Blues
| clubs3 = Sale Sharks
| clubs4 = Dragons
| apps1 = 26
| apps2 = 82
| apps3 = 153
| apps4 = 6
| points1 = 176
| points2 = 240
| points3 = 705
| points4 = 32
| ru_clubupdate = 29 October 2016
| repyears1 = 2002
| repyears2 = 2004
| repteam1 = Wales U19
| repteam2 = Wales U21
| repcaps1 =
| reppoints1 =
}}
Nick Macleod (born 23 March 1983 in Cardiff, Wales) is a former professional rugby union player who played for Cardiff Blues, Sale Sharks and Newport Gwent Dragons. Primarily a fly-half, Macleod also played at Fullback.
Professional career
Macleod came through the Cardiff Blues system, playing for the U21 side, and made his debut for Cardiff RFC in November 2001 against Cambridge University.{{Cite web |title=Nick Macleod |url=https://www.cardiffrugby.wales/player-profile/nick-macleod-208 |access-date=2023-05-09 |website=Cardiff Rugby}} Macleod played for Wales U19 in 2002, and Wales U21 in 2004.{{Cite web |date=2002-01-16 |title=Wales U19 9 New Zealand Schools 17 - Welsh Rugby Union |url=https://www.wru.wales/2002/01/wales-u19-9-new-zealand-schools-17/ |access-date=2023-05-09 |website=Welsh Rugby Union {{!}} Wales & Regions |language=en-GB}}{{Cite news |date=2004-02-13 |title=Wales U21 39-6 Scotland U21 |language=en-GB |work=BBC Sport |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/international/3476391.stm |access-date=2023-05-09}} Macleod made his debut for Cardiff Blues on 5 September 2003, against Glasgow, scoring a try.{{Cite news |date=2003-09-05 |title=Glasgow give Cardiff blues |language=en-GB |work=BBC Sport |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/3085264.stm |access-date=2023-05-09}}
Macleod was selected for Wales for the 2006 Wales rugby union tour of Argentina, in place of the injured Hal Luscombe. Macleod did not gain a cap during the tour, and ultimately never achieved a Wales cap.{{Cite web |title=Macleod Joins Wales Squad in Argentina |url=https://www.cardiffrugby.wales/news/macleod-joins-wales-squad-in-argentina |access-date=2023-05-09 |website=Cardiff Rugby}}
In April 2008, it was announced that Macleod would leave Cardiff to sign for the Sale Sharks on a two-year deal.{{Cite web |last=Thomas |first=Simon |date=2008-04-10 |title=Blues star Macleod on way to Sale |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/blues-star-macleod-way-sale-2182629 |access-date=2023-05-09 |website=WalesOnline |language=en}} Macleod departed Cardiff with 82 appearances and scored 240 points.
Macleod began the 2010–11 season as Sale's fly-half in the absence of the team's first choice, Charlie Hodgson; when Hodgson returned in late September he took over the position.{{citation |url=http://www.espnscrum.com/premiership-2010-11/rugby/story/123944.html |title=Hodgson's timely return boosts Sale |publisher=scrum.com |date=27 September 2010 |accessdate=7 December 2010}} In a Challenge Cup match for Sale against Cetransa El Salvador on 8 October 2010, Macleod equalled the club's record for most points scored in a game by a single player. When fly-half Charlie Hodgson, who previously held the record, was rested at half-time Macleod took over goal kicking. With two tries and eight successful conversions, Macleod scored 26 points in the match.{{citation |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/my_club/sale/9071389.stm |title=Sale 97–11 Cetransa El Salvador |publisher=BBC Sport |date=8 October 2010 |accessdate=25 October 2010}} The following month, Macleod experienced what he described a "highlight of [his] career so far" when he stepped up to captain Sale in a 24–19 defeat to Exeter. Regular captain Neil Briggs was unavailable due to injury and Macleod filled the position.{{citation |url=http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/sport/rugby_union/s/1387653_top_tip_for_sale_sharks |title=Top tip for Sale Sharks |first=Neil |last=Leigh |publisher=Manchester Evening News |date=30 November 2010 |accessdate=30 November 2010}} Hodgson suffered a broken foot in December, ruling him out for several months. In his absence, Macleod took the role of Sale's regular fly-half.{{citation |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/rugby/2010/12/07/charlie-hodgson-s-unlucky-break-opens-door-for-jonny-115875-22767159/ |title=Charlie Hodgson's unlucky break opens door for Jonny |work=Daily Mirror |last=Spink |first=Alex |date=7 December 2010 |accessdate=11 December 2010}} Macleod's elevation to the captaincy was temporary and winger Mark Cueto was appointed captain in late December 2010 by new coach Pete Anglesea,{{citation |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/my_club/sale/9326182.stm |title=Winger Mark Cueto given Sale Sharks captaincy |publisher=BBC Sport |date=29 December 2010 |accessdate=31 December 2010}} who replaced Mike Brewer as Sale had won just three out of nine matches in the 2010–11 season.{{citation |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/my_club/sale/9317919.stm |title=Sale Sharks sack head coach Mike Brewer |publisher=BBC Sport |date=23 December 2010 |accessdate=23 December 2010}}
Hodgson left at the end of the 2010–11 season and the club chose not to sign a new fly-half. This meant that Macleod would be given a regular chance in the position.{{citation |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/mobile/rugby-union/15020178 |title=Nick Macleod enjoying fly-half responsibility at Sale |publisher=BBC Sport |date=22 September 2011 |accessdate=20 April 2012}} He had a successful run, scoring 231 points by mid-February when he signed a two-year extension on his contract.{{citation |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/mobile/rugby-union/16943641 |title=Sale's Dwayne Peel, Marc Jones & Nick Macleod sign new deals |publisher=BBC Sport |date=8 February 2012 |accessdate=20 April 2012}} Macleod signed a further extension in November 2013.{{Cite web |date=28 November 2013 |title=Aviva Premiership: Nick Macleod and Ross Harrison sign new deals with Sale Sharks |url=https://www.skysports.com/rugby-union/news/12573/9045953/aviva-premiership-nick-macleod-and-ross-harrison-sign-new-deals-with-sale-sharks |access-date=2023-05-09 |website=Sky Sports |language=en}}
MacLeod joined Newport Gwent Dragons for the 2016–17 season and made six appearances before suffering a ligament injury which eventually forced him to retire from professional rugby; he now works as a baker in Cardiff.{{citation |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/food-drink-news/how-former-welsh-rugby-star-14378191|title=How a former Welsh rugby star became a celebrated baker following an injury|publisher=WalesOnline|date=9 March 2018 |accessdate=7 December 2020}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.cardiffrugby.wales/player-profile/nick-macleod-208 Cardiff Blues profile]
- [https://dragonsrfc.wales/teams/player/dragons/129579/nick-macleod.html Dragons profile]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Macleod, Nick}}
Category:Cardiff Rugby players
Category:Rugby union players from Cardiff