Sam Wood (rugby league, born 1997)

Sam Wood

Personal information
Full name	Samuel Wood
Born	(1997-07-11) 11 July 1997 (age 27) Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, England
Height	6 ft 4 in (1.94 m)
Weight	16 st 5 lb (104 kg)
Playing information
Position	Centre
Club Years Team Pld T G FG P 2016–21 Huddersfield Giants 52 16 4 0 72 2016(DR) → Oldham 5 2 3 0 14 2017(DR) → Oldham 8 3 0 0 12 2018(DR) → Workington Town 2 0 1 0 2 2018(loan) → Halifax 2 1 0 0 4 2019(loan) → Batley Bulldogs 26 6 3 0 30 2021(loan) → Dewsbury Rams 1 1 0 0 4 2022–23 Hull Kingston Rovers 33 9 4 0 44 2024– Castleford Tigers 16 3 0 0 12 Total 145 41 15 0 194 Representative Years Team Pld T G FG P 2024 England 1 0 0 0 0
Source: [1] [2] As of 29 June 2024

Sam Wood (born 11 July 1997) is an English professional rugby league footballer who plays as a centre for the Castleford Tigers in the Super League, whom he captains, and England at international level.

He has previously played for the Huddersfield Giants and Hull Kingston Rovers in the Super League. He has spent time on loan and dual registration from Huddersfield at Oldham, Halifax, Batley Bulldogs and Dewsbury Rams in the Championship, and at Workington Town in League 1.

Background

Wood was born in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, England.

He is a product of the Huddersfield Giants academy system.

Playing career

Huddersfield Giants

On 12 February 2016, Wood made his Super League debut for Huddersfield against the Wigan Warriors. ^[3] He played in a wide range of positions throughout his time with the Giants, including centre, wing, halfback, second row, and loose forward. ^[1]

Dewsbury Rams (loan)

On 26 May 2021, it was reported that he had signed for the Dewsbury Rams in the RFL Championship on loan. ^[4]

Hull Kingston Rovers

On 14 November 2021, it was announced that Wood had signed for Hull Kingston Rovers in the Super League. ^[5]

Castleford Tigers

On 4 October 2023, the Castleford Tigers announced the signing of Wood on a three-year deal. ^{[6] [7]} He stated his intention to "put my imprint on the club and fight for that starting shirt," and added, "I leave everything on the field for the fans and I'll try my very best every week." ^[8]

Wood was assigned squad number 4 ahead of the 2024 season. ^[9] He made his Castleford debut in round 1 against the Wigan Warriors, ^[10] and scored his first try in round 2 against the Salford Red Devils. ^[11]

In December 2024, Wood was appointed as Castleford club captain by new head coach Danny McGuire. ^[12]

International

He made his England début on 29 June 2024 v France in Toulouse. ^[13]

Statistics

Appearances and points in all competitions by year

Club	Season	Tier	App	T	G	DG	Pts
Huddersfield Giants	2016	Super League	5	0	0	0	0
	2017	Super League	9	6	0	0	24
	2018	Super League	6	1	4	0	12
	2019	Super League	0	0	0	0	0
	2020	Super League	16	2	0	0	8
	2021	Super League	16	7	0	0	28
	Total		52	16	4	0	72
→ Oldham (DR)	2016	Championship	5	2	3	0	14
	2017	Championship	8	3	0	0	12
	Total		13	5	3	0	26
→ Workington Town (DR)	2018	League 1	2	0	1	0	2
→ Halifax (loan)	2018	Championship	2	1	0	0	4
→ Batley Bulldogs (loan)	2019	Championship	26	6	3	0	30
→ Dewsbury Rams (loan)	2021	Championship	1	1	0	0	4
Hull Kingston Rovers	2022	Super League	22	6	2	0	28
	2023	Super League	11	3	2	0	16
	Total		33	9	4	0	44
Castleford Tigers	2024	Super League	16	3	0	0	12
Career total			145	41	15	0	194

As of match played 20 June 2024

References

1. RL Record Keepers' Club
2. Rugby League Project
3. "Super League: Huddersfield Giants 13-18 Wigan Warriors". BBC Sport. 12 February 2016. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
4. "Huddersfield Giants sextet set for Championship loan moves". Yorkshire Live. 26 May 2021. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
5. "Sam Wood explains thinking behind one-year Hull KR deal as he reveals Tony Smith plan". Hull Daily Mail. 14 November 2021. Retrieved 1 January 2022.
6. "Sam Wood is a Tiger". Castleford Tigers. 4 October 2023. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
7. "Sam Wood: Castleford Tigers sign versatile back from Hull KR on three-year deal". BBC Sport. 4 October 2023. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
8. O'Brien, James (4 October 2023). "'Put my imprint on the club': Sam Wood outlines goals after swapping Hull KR for Castleford Tigers". The Yorkshire Post. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
9. Darbyshire, Drew (20 January 2024). "Castleford Tigers 2024 squad numbers: 11 new signings receive their jerseys, with 31 shirts handed out". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 25 February 2024.
10. Freeman, Jay (17 February 2024). "Super League: Castleford Tigers 4-32 Wigan Warriors - Reigning champions begin with hard-earned win". BBC Sport. Retrieved 25 February 2024.
11. "Super League: Salford Red Devils 26-22 Castleford Tigers - Hosts hold on for first win". BBC Sport. 25 February 2024. Retrieved 25 February 2024.
12. O'Brien, James (13 December 2024). "Castleford Tigers boss Danny McGuire opts for rookie captain in fresh approach". The Yorkshire Post. Retrieved 13 December 2024.
13. "France v England". BBC Sport. 29 June 2024.

External links

• Hull Kingston Rovers profile
• Huddersfield Giants profile
• Super League profile