Cornwall's Premier Rugby Team
Archives 2005/10
| PLAYER PROFILE / Ryan Prosser - Hooker 2009/10 | |||||||||||||||||
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Ryan first started playing rugby when he was seven, for his local rugby team Barry, from where he went through the age grade county system with Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan.
During his time at Barry Comprehensive, and when playing for Wales U16s at Leicester, Ryan was scouted by Alan Martinovich to go to the prestigious Colston's Collegiate School, Bristol, both to study and develop his rugby ability. He studied Business, Sport Studies and Psychology, achieving grades B,B,C, and on the rugby front he was honoured to captain the school's 1 st. XV and, interestingly, play for England U18s. .
Ryan then had a spell in New Zealand, training with Auckland NPC and playing for feeder team Eden Rugby Club. This was an exchange programme provided by Bristol Rugby and their Academy as a developmental process, and he loved his time there so much that he came back with a nice souvenir - a Maori tattoo.
Whilst a member of the Bristol Academy, Ryan also featured in the Guinness 'A' league and played for Wales U20s, representing them in the Six Nations and the Junior Rugby World Cup hosted by Wales in 2008. Offered a senior deal with Bristol for 2008-09, he suffered a set back because of a knee injury.
Before coming to Cornwall, Ryan started to get his fitness back and had some game time with Newbury, where former Bristol player Ben Sturnham was in charge, Still young, his longer term ambition is to step back up to the Premiership once he has proved himself and matured still further, and to join ex Wales U20 team mates Leigh Halfpenny, Sam Warburton and John Davies in the national team.
Excited at being given an opportunity with the Cornish Pirates, Ryan was immediately impressed with the professional set up and to see the squad so tight knit. He was keen to get himself settled with the team, stay injury free and to do his best to assist the Pirates in winning the remaining games of the season. His view was that teams like the Cornish Pirates, who play for each other, will go far – adding also “they have it in them to surprise just about any team played.”.
When Ryan's signing was announced, CEO Rod Coward commented:
“Going into the play-offs it was felt that we needed extra cover at hooker. Ryan is well recommended and comes with a determination to succeed, and if he proves his ability at this level then we would be looking to renew his contract beyond this season.”
We wish Ryan well.
