William Neville (rugby union)


William Cox Neville was an Irish international rugby union player.

Life

Hailing from Dundalk, County Louth, Neville was the son of a civil engineer and attended Dundalk College.

Rugby career

Neville captained Ireland in both of his two internationals, against Scotland at Belfast and England at The Oval in 1879, playing as a forward. He was also a referee, officiating Ireland's match against England in 1882, and served as the inaugural president of the Irish Rugby Football Union.

Medical education and career

A medical graduate of Trinity College Dublin, Neville specialised in gynaecology, until spending time away from the profession due to poor health, then was later involved in pathology.