Will Addison

{{short description|Ireland international rugby union footballer}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2016}}

{{Use British English|date=September 2016}}

{{Infobox rugby biography

| name = Will Addison

| image = File:Will Addison 2021.jpg

| caption =

| birth_name = William Joseph Addison

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1992|08|20|df=y}}

| birth_place = Penrith, Cumbria, England

| height = {{height|m=1.85}}

| weight = {{convert|93|kg|stlb lbs|abbr=on}}

| ru_currentposition = Centre, Wing, Full-back

| ru_currentteam = Ulster

| position = Centre, Wing, Full-back

| amatyears1 =

| amatteam1 =

| ru_amateurclubcaps =

| ru_amateurclubpoints =

| years1 = 2010–2018

| years2 = 2011

| years3 = 2018–2024

| years4 = 2024–

| clubs1 = Sale Sharks

| clubs2 = → Macclesfield (loan)

| clubs3 = Ulster

| clubs4 = Sale Sharks

| apps1 = 114

| apps2 = 2

| apps3 = 44

| apps4 = 0

| points1 = 158

| points2 = 0

| points3 = 58

| points4 = 0

| ru_clubupdate = 8 June 2024

| repyears1 = 2012

| repyears2 = 2018–2020

| repteam1 = England U20

| repteam2 = Ireland

| repcaps1 = 4

| repcaps2 = 5

| reppoints1 = 0

| reppoints2 = 2

| ru_ntupdate = 10 July 2021

| school = Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Penrith

| university = University of Manchester

}}

William Joseph Addison (born 20 August 1992) is an English-born Irish rugby union player who plays as a utility back for Premiership Rugby club Sale Sharks, and has represented Ireland internationally.

A product of the Sale Sharks academy,[https://www.ruck.co.uk/transfer-news-will-addison-will-leave-sale-sharks-in-the-summer/ "Transfer News: Will Addison will leave Sale Sharks in the summer"], Ruck.co.uk, 30 March 2018 Addison made his club debut for Sale in 2010.{{cite web|title=Will Addison: Ulster sign Irish-qualified Sale Sharks centre|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/43597065|publisher=BBC Sport|date=30 March 2018|access-date=11 April 2018}} He was part of the England U20 side which won the Junior Six Nations.{{cite news|url=http://en.espn.co.uk/scrum/rugby/match/158080.html|publisher=ESPN Scrum |title=U20 Six Nations|date=16 March 2012 |access-date=11 April 2018}} He also featured at the 2012 Junior World Cup.{{cite news|url=https://www.worldrugby.org/match/12542|publisher=World Rugby |title=Ireland U20 27-12 England U20|date=17 June 2012 |access-date=11 April 2018}} He split time between his rugby career and studying for a degree in business studies, graduating in 2014.Emma Flanagan, [https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/addison-sale-sharks-rugby-player-7397008 "Sale Sharks star graduates from university with top degree"], Manchester Evening News, 9 July 2014 He was named the Sharks' captain ahead of the 2017-18 season, having previously captained the side in the absence of Josh Beaumont.Matthew Wood, [https://www.talkingrugbyunion.co.uk/sale-sharks-announce-will-addison-as-captain-for-upcoming-season/18625.htm "Sale Sharks announce Will Addison as captain for upcoming season"], Talking Rugby Union, 9 August 2017

Addison is Irish-qualified through his Fermanagh-born mother,[https://www.rte.ie/sport/united-rugby-championship/ulster-player-profiles/2021/0909/1245613-will-addison/ Will Addison profile], RTÉ Sport, 13 September 2021 and grew up supporting Ireland.Gareth Hanna, [https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/rugby/ulster-rugby/will-addison-i-liked-to-stand-out-by-supporting-ireland-while-growing-up-in-england-37502452.html "Will Addison: I liked to stand out by supporting Ireland while growing up in England"], Belfast Telegraph, 7 November 2018 His contract with Sale contained an option to leave if an Irish team approached him,Ciarán Ó Raghallaigh, Owen Slot, [https://www.thetimes.com/sport/rugby-union/article/irish-option-was-in-deal-says-will-addison-mn8jlpq8v Irish option was in deal, says Will Addison"], The Times, 25 July 2018 and he signed for Ulster ahead of the 2018–19 season in pursuit of his ambitions to play international rugby. He had a successful start to the season, initially at fullback, later at outside centre.[https://www.thefrontrowunion.com/2019/05/making-an-impact-at-ulster-rugby/ "Making an impact at Ulster Rugby"], The Front Row Union, 23 May 2019 On 24 October 2018, he was named in the Ireland squad for the November Internationals.{{cite web|url=http://www.the42.ie/joe-schmidt-ireland-november-squad-4302872-Oct2018/ |title =Schmidt includes uncapped Addison as Murray misses out on Ireland squad|date=24 October 2018|work=The 42|access-date=25 October 2018}} On 3 November 2018 he made his debut for Ireland against Italy.[https://www.newsletter.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/will-addison-hungers-more-international-stage-after-ireland-debut-551475 "Will Addison hungers for more on international stage after Ireland debut"], News Letter'', 4 November 2018 He sustained a back injury in January 2019 that required surgery and kept him out for fifteen months. He returned to action in April 2021, before his season was ended by a red card for a dangerous tackle against Munster in May.[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/57104821 "Will Addison: Ulster back's season over after receiving four-match ban"], BBC Sport, 13 May 2021

He started the 2021–22 season strongly, playing four games and scoring a try,[https://www.itsrugby.co.uk/players/will-addison-22217.html Playing statistics at ItsRugby.co.uk] before sustaining a fracture of the lower leg in October which again meant undergoing surgery.Jonathan Bradley, [https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/rugby/ulster-rugby/ulsters-luckless-will-addison-sustains-broken-leg-40960335.html "Ulster’s luckless Will Addison sustains broken leg"], Belfast Telegraph, 18 October 2021 He signed for Sale at the end of the 2023-24 season.Neil Treacey, [https://www.rte.ie/sport/united-rugby-championship/2024/0528/1451662-ulsters-addison-confirms-sale-sharks-return/ "Ulster's Will Addison confirms Sale Sharks return"], RTÉ, 28 May 2024