Robbie Russell (rugby union)
{{Short description|Scotland international rugby union player}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2021}}
Robert Russell (born 1 May 1976) is an Australian-born professional rugby union player who played hooker for London Irish and formerly with Saracens. He won 27 caps for Scotland from 1999 to 2005.
Early life
Russell was brought up on an Australian cattle farm. He was educated at the Anglican Church Grammar School.{{cite book|last=Mason|first=James|title=Churchie: The Centenary Register|year=2011|publisher=The Anglican Church Grammar School|location=Brisbane, Australia|isbn=978-0-646-55807-3}} He played domestic rugby for Queensland before moving to Scotland.
Rugby career
He played for Edinburgh Reivers until 1999, then joined English Premiership Rugby team Saracens F.C. until 2004. He then played for London Irish and played 60 games, scoring seven tries.{{cite news |url=https://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/sport/1553715.ex-sarries-hooker-forced-to-quit-game/|title=Ex Sarries hooker forced to quit game |first=Tim |last=Edwards |work=Watford Observer |date=18 July 2007|accessdate=20 August 2019}}
He made his debut for Scotland national rugby union team against Romania in Glasgow on 28 August 1999.{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby-union-logan-leads-scots-revival-1118175.html |title=Rugby Union: Logan leads Scots' revival |work=The Independent |date=29 August 1999|accessdate=20 August 2019}}
He represented Scotland at the World Cup in 2003, but started only one fixture in Australia. He scored Scotland's solitary try during its quarter-final defeat to Australia.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/rugby_world_cup/3243859.stm|title=Australia cruise past Scots |work=BBC Sport |date=8 November 2003|accessdate=20 August 2019}}
He scored two tries after coming off the bench in a 100–8 victory over Japan at McDiarmid Park in Perth in November 2004.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/international/4002983.stm |title=Scotland 100-8 Japan |work=BBC Sport |date=13 November 2004|accessdate=20 August 2019}}
In 2007, he retired from playing rugby, due to a persistent neck injury.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/berkshire/content/articles/2007/07/19/robbie_russell_070719_feature.shtml|title=Robbie Russell: Injury 'already affecting me' |publisher=BBC |date=19 July 2007|accessdate=20 August 2019}}
Post-playing retirement
In 2012 he started an online freight marketplace called Truckit.net in Australia.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bigrigs.com.au/news/truckies-embrace-digital-market/3946780/|title=Truckies embrace digital market|last=Graham|first=James|website=Big Rigs|language=en|access-date=2020-03-05}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{Scotland Squad 1999 World Cup}}
{{Scotland Squad 2003 World Cup}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Russell, Robbie}}
Category:Scottish rugby union players
Category:Scotland international rugby union players
Category:Aberdeen GSFP RFC players
Category:Saracens F.C. players
Category:People educated at Anglican Church Grammar School
Category:1999 Rugby World Cup players
Category:2003 Rugby World Cup players
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