Richie Myler

Richie Myler

Personal information
Full name	Richard David Myler [1]
Born	(1990-05-21) 21 May 1990 (age 33) Widnes, Cheshire, England
Playing information
Height	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight	13 st 2 lb (83 kg)
Position	Scrum-half, Fullback
Club Years Team Pld T G FG P 2007 Widnes Vikings 2 0 0 0 0 2008–09 Salford City Reds 53 38 0 0 152 2010–15 Warrington Wolves 145 81 2 1 329 2016–17 Catalans Dragons 50 25 2 0 104 2018–23 Leeds Rhinos 134 52 6 2 222 2024 York Knights 3 2 0 0 8 Total 387 198 10 3 815 Representative Years Team Pld T G FG P 2008–18 England 8 8 9 0 50 2011 England Knights 1 1 0 0 4 2022 Ireland 3 0 0 0 0
Source: [2] [3] [4] [5]

Richard David Myler (born 21 May 1990) is a retired rugby league footballer, who is currently the director of rugby for Hull FC in the Super League. ^[6] He is a member of the Ireland squad for the delayed 2021 Rugby League World Cup, having declared for Ireland in 2022. Previously he has represented England and the England Knights at international level.

He has played for the Widnes Vikings in the Championship, and the Salford City Reds in the Championship and the Super League. Myler has also played for the Warrington Wolves and the Catalans Dragons in the Super League.

Early life

Myler was born in Widnes, Cheshire, England. He attended St's Peter and Paul RC High school. He was amongst several students to receive a scholarship from the Rugby League.

Playing career

Club career

Widnes Vikings

Myler began his career with Widnes, playing two games in the 2007 season.

Salford: 2008-2009

Myler signed for Salford from Widnes on a three-year deal in 2008 and contributed to Salford winning the National League One title, scoring 25 tries in 32 appearances, ^[7] and winning numerous awards as well as the Co-Operative Player of the Year award. On 14 February 2009 Myler made his Super League début against Crusaders, scoring a try in a Salford victory.

Warrington: 2010-15

Myler playing for Warrington in 2010

In 2009, he signed a four-year contract with Warrington worth around £200,000, making him the most expensive teenage signing in Rugby League history. ^[8] Myler was offered a new contract which allegedly would have made him the highest paid player in the history of Widnes. According to agent Martin Offiah he rejected the deal, instead favouring a four-year deal with Warrington. ^[9]

Myler playing for Warrington in 2012

He played in the 2012 Challenge Cup Final victory over the Leeds Rhinos at Wembley Stadium. ^{[10] [11] [12] [13]}

He played in the 2012 Super League Grand Final defeat by the Leeds Rhinos at Old Trafford. ^{[14] [11]}

He played in the 2013 Super League Grand Final defeat by the Wigan Warriors at Old Trafford. ^{[15] [16] [17] [18] [19]}

Catalans Dragons

In 2015, he declared he was interested in playing the NRL the next year as he wanted a new challenge. Manly were rumoured to want Myler after the departure of halves pairing Kieran Foran and Daly Cherry-Evans. ^{[20] [21]} However, on 10 July 2015, it was confirmed that Myler would stay in the Super League, signing a two-year deal with Catalans Dragons from 2016. ^[22]

Leeds Rhinos

On 27 June 2017 it was confirmed Myler had signed a three-year deal to join Leeds Rhinos starting from the following season. ^[23] Myler was named Lance Todd Trophy winner for his performance at Fullback in the 2020 Challenge Cup Final. ^[24] In round 21 of the 2022 Super League season, Myler scored a hat-trick in Leeds 36-32 victory over the Catalans Dragons. Leeds had been down 32-6 in the second half with one player being issued with a red card. ^[25] In round 25 of the 2022 Super League season, Leeds defeated Huddersfield 18-14 in controversial circumstances. With less than five minutes to play, Myler was caught in a tackle with Huddersfield's Chris Hill.The referee issued a yellow card to Hill over the incident which moments later eventuated in Leeds scoring the winning try. ^[26] On 24 September 2022, Myler played for Leeds in their 24–12 loss to St Helens RFC in the 2022 Super League Grand Final. ^[27] Myler played a total of 19 games for Leeds in the 2023 Super League season as the club finished 8th on the table and missed the playoffs. ^[28]

York Knights

On 6 November 2023, it was reported that he had signed for York Knights in the RFL Championship on a one-year deal. ^[29] On 3 March 2024, Myler made his 400th career appearance in York's 1895 Cup quarter-final match against Oldham. ^[30] In April, Myler announced his retirement following an elbow injury sustained in a match against Doncaster the previous month. ^[31]

International career

England

Myler has represented both the Lancashire and England U-17s at Academy Level.

He was named in the England training squad for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup. ^[32] He was named in the England team to face Wales at the Keepmoat Stadium, Doncaster prior to England's departure for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup. ^[33] He made his England début in the victory over Wales on 10 October 2008. ^[34]

Myler represented England against France on 13 June 2009. He started the game as a scrum-half and scored 30 points in the 66-12 England victory. ^[35]

Myler was not called up to the England RL side for the Four Nations in 2011, however he was selected in the England Knights where he put in two man of the match performances but was still not called up.

Myler was recalled to the international stage in 2018, playing in test matches against France at the Leigh Sports Village ^[36] and New Zealand.

Ireland

In August 2022 Myler declared that he was available to play for Ireland in the forthcoming World Cup. He is qualified to play for Ireland through one of his grandfathers. ^[37] Myler was named in the Ireland squad for the tournament when it was announced on 29 September 2022. ^[38]

Personal life

In March 2012 Myler became engaged to then Blue Peter presenter Helen Skelton. ^[39] They married in December 2013, ^[40] and Skelton gave birth to their first child, a boy named Ernie, on 19 June 2015. ^[41] followed by their second son, Louis, in April 2017. The couple's daughter, Elsie Kate, was born on 28 December 2021. Skelton announced on 25 April 2022 that the couple had separated. ^[42]

It was later revealed on 6 March 2023 on Instagram that his new girlfriend, heiress, Stephanie Thirkill, was pregnant with their first child. ^[43] The child was born in April 2023. ^[44]

References

1. "Richard David Myler". Companies House. Retrieved 5 December 2017.
2. "Profile at loverugbyleague.com". loverugbyleague.com. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
3. "Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org". rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
4. "England Statistics at englandrl.co.uk". englandrl.co.uk. 31 December 2017. Archived from the original on 13 December 2013. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
5. RL Record Keepers' Club
6. "Hull FC appoint retired Myler as director of rugby". BBC Sport. 15 April 2024.
7. "Myler Battle". Sunday Mirror. London: Trinity Mirror. 19 April 2009.
8. Murphy, Connor (7 September 2009). "Smith excited to work with new boys". Warrington Guardian . Retrieved 21 August 2011.
9. "Richie Myler rejects Salford mega deal". The Mirror.com. 23 June 2009. Retrieved 23 June 2009.
10. "Warrington's battered Brett Hodgson recovers to see off Leeds in final". Guardian UK. 25 August 2012. Retrieved 20 November 2019.
11. "Leeds' Kevin Sinfield stars in Grand Final triumph against Warrington". Guardian. 6 October 2012. Retrieved 20 November 2019.
12. "Leeds Rhinos 18–35 Warrington Wolves". BBC Sport. 25 August 2012. Retrieved 20 November 2019.
13. "Warrington Wolves Are Challenge Cup Winners 2012!". Warrington Wolves Official Site. 25 August 2012. Archived from the original on 17 December 2013. Retrieved 20 November 2019.
14. "Grand Final: Warrington 18-26 Leeds". BBC Sport. 6 October 2012. Retrieved 20 November 2019.
15. "Super League Grand Final". Super League. Archived from the original on 29 July 2013. Retrieved 14 July 2013.
16. Newsum, Matt (5 October 2013). "Super League Grand Final: Wigan Warriors beat Warrington". BBC Sport. Retrieved 13 November 2019.
17. "Super League Grand Final: Warrington v Wigan". BBC Sport. Retrieved 13 November 2019.
18. "Warrington Wolves 16 Wigan Warriors 30". Daily Telegraph. 5 October 2013. Retrieved 13 November 2019.
19. "Wigan see off Warrington in X-rated Grand Final to complete double". Guardian. 5 October 2013. Retrieved 13 November 2019.
20. "England halfback Richie Myler keen for NRL switch next season". The Sydney Morning Herald. 12 April 2015. Retrieved 9 August 2015.
21. "Manly Sea Eagles in market for Super League international halfback Richie Myler". Fox Sports. 6 July 2015. Retrieved 9 August 2015.
22. "Warrington half-back Richie Myler to join Catalans Dragons in 2016". Sky Sports. 10 July 2015. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
23. "Richie Myler: Leeds Rhinos sign half-back from Catalans Dragons". bbc.co.uk. 27 June 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
24. "Leeds' Luke Gale's drop goal steal's Challenge Cup from Salford". The Guardian. 17 October 2020. Retrieved 17 October 2020.
25. "Super League: Catalans Dragons 32-36 Leeds Rhinos - Visitors win in golden point extra time". www.bbc.co.uk.
26. "'It's a disgrace' - Phil Clarke's fury after controversial Richie Myler incident". www.leeds-live.co.uk.
27. "St Helens sink Leeds to win record fourth consecutive Grand Final". www.theguardian.com.
28. "Leeds Rhinos' 2023 season review: picking out the best and worst players, performances, results". www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk.
29. "Leeds Rhinos stalwart Richie Myler departs in surprise Championship move: 'The time felt right for a new challenge'". Love Rugby League. 6 November 2023.
30. "AB Sundecks 1895 Cup Review | Quarter Finals". RFL. 4 March 2024. Retrieved 15 April 2024.
31. "Club Statement: Richie Myler". York RLFC. 15 April 2024. Retrieved 15 April 2024.
32. "Myler gets England call". England Rugby League. 29 September 2008. Archived from the original on 7 October 2008. Retrieved 3 October 2008.
33. "Gleeson to lead new-look England". BBC. 9 October 2008. Retrieved 10 October 2008.
34. "England warm up in style". Sky Sports. 10 October 2008. Archived from the original on 13 October 2008. Retrieved 11 October 2008.
35. "France 12-66 England:Richie Myler stars as Lions romp to victory". The Mirror.com. 14 June 2009. Retrieved 23 June 2009.
36. "Tom Johnstone marks debut with England hat-trick against France". Guardian. 17 October 2018. Retrieved 31 October 2019.
37. "Richie Myler to honour Irish grandad's wish at Rugby League World Cup". Rugby League International Federation. 17 August 2022. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
38. "Keary and Myler in Ireland World Cup squad". BBC Sport. 29 September 2022. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
39. White, Steve (13 March 2012). ""I am a very lucky lady!": Helen Skelton's delight at getting engaged". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 17 March 2012.
40. Watts, Halina (22 December 2013). "BT Sport beauty Helen Skelton ties the knot with rugby league star Richie Myler". Mirror TV. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
41. "Former Blue Peter presenter Helen Skelton welcomes baby boy". Digital Spy. 21 June 2015. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
42. Roberts, Jamie; Brock, Alexander (26 April 2022). "Countryfile presenter Helen Skelton announces split from husband". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 1 May 2022.
43. Shaw, Megan (7 November 2022). "Stephanie Thirkill 'proud' as she makes special request to Richie Myler". LeedsLive. Retrieved 13 November 2022.
44. Shaw, Megan (15 May 2023). "Helen Skelton's ex Richie Myler shares first picture of new baby as adorable name is revealed". LeedsLive. Retrieved 14 October 2023.

External links

• Leeds Rhinos profile
• (archived by web.archive.org) Profile at warringtonwolves.com
• (archived by web.archive.org) Myler handed England call
• SL profile
• Ireland profile