Paul Shields (rugby union)

Paul Shields (born September 25, 1978) is an Irish professional rugby union footballer of the 2000s. He played at club level for Ulster Rugby and Northampton Saints, as a Hooker. He won two caps for the Ireland national team in 2003.[1]

Paul Shields
Birth namePaul Michael Shields
Date of birth (1978-09-25) 25 September 1978 (age 46)
Place of birthBelfast, Northern Ireland
Rugby union career
Position(s) Hooker
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
Ballymena RFC ()
? - 2007 Ulster Rugby 104 ()
2007-2009 Northampton Saints 41 (30)
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2001-05 Ireland A 8 (10)
2003 Ireland 2 (0)

Ulster Rugby

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Paul Shields attained 104 caps for Ulster Rugby being the 9th member to join the 100 cap club. He has won the Celtic League and Celtic Cup. In his first year Paul was nominated as the Ulster player of the year

Northampton Saints

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Shields signed for the Northampton Saints in the 2007-08 season. Gaining praise over his pace as a hooker, he was placed on a rotational system with Dylan Hartley. In September 2009 Shields retired from professional rugby after suffering a neck injury in the March of that year.[2]

Notes

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  1. ^ Paul Shields international career ESPN Scrum.com
  2. ^ "Shields retires from rugby". premiershiprugby.com. 11 September 2009. Retrieved 25 October 2010.