George McGuigan

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George Patrick McGuigan
Birth nameGeorge Patrick McGuigan
Date of birth (1993-03-30) 30 March 1993 (age 32)
Place of birth Northallerton, North Yorkshire, England
Height1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) [1]
Weight110 kg (17 st 5 lb) [1]
School Gosforth Academy
Rugby union career
Position(s) Hooker
Current team Newcastle Red Bulls
Amateur team(s)
YearsTeamApps(Points)
2003–2009 Darlington Mowden Park ()
Senior career
YearsTeamApps(Points)
2011–2016 Newcastle Falcons 69 (25)
2016–2018 Leicester Tigers 34 (5)
2018–2022 Newcastle Falcons 83 (160)
2022–2025 Gloucester 26 (35)
2025 Ospreys 2 (0)
2025– Newcastle Red Bulls 0 (0)
Correct as of 20 March 2025
International career
YearsTeamApps(Points)
2010–2012 Ireland U18s 12 (5)
2013 Ireland U20s 9 (0)
2016 England Saxons 2 (0)
Correct as of 19 May 2019

George Patrick McGuigan (born 30 March 1993) [2] is an English rugby union player who plays for Newcastle Red Bulls in Premiership Rugby. His position is Hooker and has represented England Saxons as well as Ireland U18s, U20s on several occasions. Between 2016 and 2018 he played 35 times for Leicester Tigers.

Contents

Club career

McGuigan was born in Richmond, North Yorkshire and first played rugby for Richmond' High School, before moving to Newcastle to further continue his rugby career at Gosforth Academy. McGuigan was part of the Newcastle Falcons academy scheme which saw several Falcons academy players link up with the school to continue their studies and academy training during post-16.

He became a member of the first team squad after joining the club professionally in 2011. On 4 February 2014, McGuigan signed a two-year contract extension with Newcastle until the summer of 2016. [3] In February 2016, McGuigan signed a contract to join Leicester Tigers from the 2016–17 season. [4]

On 21 April 2018, McGuigan re-signed with his hometown club Newcastle Falcons from the 2018–19 season. [5]

On 12 December 2022, McGuigan left Newcastle with immediate effect to join Premiership rivals Gloucester on a long-term deal. [6] On 17 March 2024, McGuigan suffered a severe injury to his hamstring during the Premiership Rugby Cup final against Leicester Tigers. [7]

On 20 March 2025, McGuigan departed Gloucester by mutual consent. [8] Later that day, it was confirmed he joined Ospreys on a short-term contract. [9]

On 31 July 2025, McGuigan returns to his old club Newcastle Red Bulls for a third time in the Premiership for the 2025-26 season. [10]

International career

Ireland U18

After successfully completing trials in 2010 McGuigan was selected to represent the Ireland U18 squad.

Ireland U20

On 1 February 2013 McGuigan made his debut against Wales, creating several try-scoring opportunities as well as injuring himself in the process, only to carry on and make a match saving tackle in his own final third.

England Saxons

McGuigan was called up by England Saxons for their 2016 tour to South Africa where he played two matches from the bench. [11] [12]

England

In June 2022 he was called up by Eddie Jones to join a training camp with the senior England squad. [13]

References

  1. 1 2 "George McGuigan - Player Profiles - Newcastle Falcons". Newcastle Falcons. Archived from the original on 17 January 2012.
  2. "George McGuigan" . Retrieved 12 July 2018.
  3. "Newcastle Falcons hooker George McGuigan contract extension". Sky Sports. 4 February 2014. Retrieved 19 April 2015.
  4. Boswell, Zinny (29 February 2016). "Leicester Tigers agree deals for Tom Brady and George McGuigan". Sky Sports. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
  5. "George McGuigan: Newcastle Falcons re-sign Leicester Tigers hooker". BBC Sport. 21 April 2018. Retrieved 22 April 2018.
  6. "Gloucester sign Newcastle hooker McGuigan". BBC Sport. 12 December 2022. Retrieved 13 December 2022.
  7. "George McGuigan: Gloucester hooker out for rest of season with hamstring injury". BBC Sport. 20 March 2024. Retrieved 20 March 2025.
  8. "George McGuigan departs Kingsholm by mutual consent". Gloucester Rugby. 20 March 2025. Retrieved 20 March 2025.
  9. "Ospreys confirm signing of George McGuigan from Gloucester". Ospreys Rugby. 20 March 2025. Retrieved 20 March 2025.
  10. "George McGuigan: Newcastle Falcons re-sign hooker on one-year deal". BBC Sport. 31 July 2025. Retrieved 2 August 2025.
  11. "England Saxons beat South Africa A in opening tour match". BBC Sport. 10 June 2016.
  12. "South Africa A v England Saxons". BBC Sport. 17 June 2016.
  13. "England: Injured prop Kyle Sinckler to miss Australia tour". BBC. 6 June 2022. Retrieved 6 June 2022.