Byron McGuigan


Byron McGuigan is a rugby union outside centre or wing for Scotland in international rugby and for Sale Sharks in the English Premiership. He was born in Walvis Bay – then a South African exclave, but part of modern-day Namibia – and grew up in Cape Town, where he came through the academy before his first taste of first class rugby with the Border Bulldogs in 2010 and 2011. After a short spell with the Scotland Sevens team, he returned to fifteens rugby, playing for Glasgow Warriors,, Exeter Chiefs and Sale Sharks, culminating in a call-up to Scotland in 2017.

Professional career

He played for Glasgow Warriors in the Pro12 having previously represented the Border Bulldogs in South Africa's Vodacom Cup competition.
It was announced in April 2014 that he had left Glasgow Warriors after 20 appearances and four tries over two seasons.
On 2 November 2014, Aviva Premiership side Exeter Chiefs announced that McGuigan would be joining them for the 2014–15 season on a one-year deal. On 27 July 2016, McGuigan signed a two-year deal with Premiership rivals Sale Sharks from the 2016–17 season.

International career

McGuigan received his first call up to the senior Scotland squad by coach Gregor Townsend for the Autumn Internationals, making his debut against New Zealand as a second-half replacement. During his full debut the following week, McGuigan scored his first two international tries against Australia.
After a three-year stand-down period from international rugby, it was announced that McGuigan had switched counties to be able to represent the Namibia national team, but was not selected for the 2023 Rugby World Cup squad.

International tries

TryOpposing teamLocationVenueCompetitionDateResultScore
1Edinburgh, ScotlandMurrayfield Stadium2017 end-of-year rugby union internationals25 November 2017Win5324
2Edinburgh, ScotlandMurrayfield Stadium2017 end-of-year rugby union internationals25 November 2017Win53 – 24
3Edmonton, CanadaCommonwealth Stadium2018 June rugby union tests9 June 2018Win1048