William Joseph Addison (born 20 August 1992) is an English-born Irish international rugby union player who played as a utility back for Sale Sharks, Ulster and Ireland. He is currently a player-coach at Sale FC in National League 1.
A product of the Sale Sharks academy,"Transfer News: Will Addison will leave Sale Sharks in the summer", Ruck.co.uk, 30 March 2018 Addison made his club debut for Sale in 2010. He was part of the England U20 side which won the Junior Six Nations. He also featured at the 2012 Junior World Cup. He split time between his rugby career and studying for a degree in business studies, graduating in 2014.Emma Flanagan, "Sale Sharks star graduates from university with top degree", Manchester Evening News, 9 July 2014 He was named the Sharks' captain ahead of the 2017–18 season, having previously captained the side in the absence of Josh Beaumont.Matthew Wood, "Sale Sharks announce Will Addison as captain for upcoming season", Talking Rugby Union, 9 August 2017
Addison is Irish-qualified through his County Fermanagh-born mother,Will Addison profile, RTÉ Sport, 13 September 2021 and grew up supporting Ireland.Gareth Hanna, "Will Addison: I liked to stand out by supporting Ireland while growing up in England", Belfast Telegraph, 7 November 2018 His contract with Sale contained an option to leave if an Irish team approached him,Ciarán Ó Raghallaigh, Owen Slot, Irish option was in deal, says Will Addison", The Times, 25 July 2018 and he signed for Ulster ahead of the 2018–19 season in pursuit of his ambitions to play international rugby. He had a successful start to the season, initially at fullback, later at outside centre."Making an impact at Ulster Rugby", The Front Row Union, 23 May 2019 On 24 October 2018, he was named in the Ireland squad for the November Internationals. On 3 November 2018 he made his debut for Ireland against Italy."Will Addison hungers for more on international stage after Ireland debut", News Letter, 4 November 2018 He sustained a back injury in January 2019 that required surgery and kept him out for fifteen months. He returned to action in April 2021, before his season was ended by a red card for a dangerous tackle against Munster in May."Will Addison: Ulster back's season over after receiving four-match ban", BBC Sport, 13 May 2021
He started the 2021–22 season strongly, playing four games and scoring a try, before sustaining a fracture of the lower leg in October which again meant undergoing surgery.Jonathan Bradley, "Ulster’s luckless Will Addison sustains broken leg", Belfast Telegraph, 18 October 2021 He signed for Sale at the end of the 2023–24 season,Neil Treacey, "Ulster's Will Addison confirms Sale Sharks return", RTÉ, 28 May 2024 and left at the end of the season, joining semi-professional side Sale FC as a player-coach.
References
External links Ulster Rugby profile United Rugby Championship profile
Ireland profile