{{short description|Ireland international rugby union footballer}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2016}} {{Use British English|date=September 2016}} {{Infobox rugby biography | name = Will Addison | image = File:Will Addison 2021.jpg | caption = Addison in 2021 | birth_name = William Joseph Addison | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1992|08|20|df=y}} | birth_place = Penrith, Cumbria, England | height = {{height|m=1.85}} | weight = {{convert|93|kg|stlb lbs|abbr=on}} | ru_currentposition = Centre, Wing, Full-back | ru_currentteam = Ulster | position = Centre, Wing, Full-back | amatyears1 = | amatteam1 = | ru_amateurclubcaps = | ru_amateurclubpoints = | years1 = 2010–2018 | years2 = 2011 | years3 = 2018–2024 | years4 = 2024–2025 | clubs1 = Sale Sharks | clubs2 = → Macclesfield ''(loan)'' | clubs3 = Ulster | clubs4 = Sale Sharks | apps1 = 114 | apps2 = 2 | apps3 = 44 | apps4 = 11 | points1 = 158 | points2 = 0 | points3 = 58 | points4 = 10 | ru_clubupdate = 8 June 2024 | repyears1 = 2012 | repyears2 = 2018–2020 | repteam1 = England U20 | repteam2 = Ireland | repcaps1 = 4 | repcaps2 = 5 | reppoints1 = 0 | reppoints2 = 2 | ru_ntupdate = 10 July 2021 | school = Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Penrith | university = University of Manchester }}
'''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,<ref>[https://www.ruck.co.uk/transfer-news-will-addison-will-leave-sale-sharks-in-the-summer/ "Transfer News: Will Addison will leave Sale Sharks in the summer"], Ruck.co.uk, 30 March 2018</ref> Addison made his club debut for Sale in 2010.<ref name="Transfer">{{cite web|title=Will Addison: Ulster sign Irish-qualified Sale Sharks centre|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/43597065|publisher=BBC Sport|date=30 March 2018|access-date=11 April 2018}}</ref> He was part of the England U20 side which won the Junior Six Nations.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://en.espn.co.uk/scrum/rugby/match/158080.html|publisher=ESPN Scrum |title=U20 Six Nations|date=16 March 2012 |access-date=11 April 2018}}</ref> He also featured at the 2012 Junior World Cup.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.worldrugby.org/match/12542|publisher=World Rugby |title=Ireland U20 27-12 England U20|date=17 June 2012 |access-date=11 April 2018}}</ref> He split time between his rugby career and studying for a degree in business studies, graduating in 2014.<ref>Emma Flanagan, [https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/addison-sale-sharks-rugby-player-7397008 "Sale Sharks star graduates from university with top degree"], ''Manchester Evening News'', 9 July 2014</ref> He was named the Sharks' captain ahead of the 2017–18 season, having previously captained the side in the absence of Josh Beaumont.<ref>Matthew Wood, [https://www.talkingrugbyunion.co.uk/sale-sharks-announce-will-addison-as-captain-for-upcoming-season/18625.htm "Sale Sharks announce Will Addison as captain for upcoming season"], Talking Rugby Union, 9 August 2017</ref>
Addison is Irish-qualified through his County Fermanagh-born mother,<ref>[https://www.rte.ie/sport/united-rugby-championship/ulster-player-profiles/2021/0909/1245613-will-addison/ Will Addison profile], RTÉ Sport, 13 September 2021</ref> and grew up supporting Ireland.<ref>Gareth Hanna, [https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/rugby/ulster-rugby/will-addison-i-liked-to-stand-out-by-supporting-ireland-while-growing-up-in-england-37502452.html "Will Addison: I liked to stand out by supporting Ireland while growing up in England"], ''Belfast Telegraph'', 7 November 2018</ref> His contract with Sale contained an option to leave if an Irish team approached him,<ref>Ciarán Ó Raghallaigh, Owen Slot, [https://www.thetimes.com/sport/rugby-union/article/irish-option-was-in-deal-says-will-addison-mn8jlpq8v Irish option was in deal, says Will Addison"], ''The Times'', 25 July 2018</ref> and he signed for Ulster ahead of the 2018–19 season in pursuit of his ambitions to play international rugby.<ref name="Transfer" /> He had a successful start to the season, initially at fullback, later at outside centre.<ref name=impact>[https://www.thefrontrowunion.com/2019/05/making-an-impact-at-ulster-rugby/ "Making an impact at Ulster Rugby"], The Front Row Union, 23 May 2019</ref> On 24 October 2018, he was named in the Ireland squad for the November Internationals.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.the42.ie/joe-schmidt-ireland-november-squad-4302872-Oct2018/ |title =Schmidt includes uncapped Addison as Murray misses out on Ireland squad|date=24 October 2018|work=The 42|access-date=25 October 2018}}</ref> On 3 November 2018 he made his debut for Ireland against Italy.<ref>[https://www.newsletter.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/will-addison-hungers-more-international-stage-after-ireland-debut-551475 "Will Addison hungers for more on international stage after Ireland debut"], ''News Letter'', 4 November 2018</ref> He sustained a back injury in January 2019 that required surgery<ref name=impact /> 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.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/57104821 "Will Addison: Ulster back's season over after receiving four-match ban"], BBC Sport, 13 May 2021</ref>
He started the 2021–22 season strongly, playing four games and scoring a try,<ref name=its>[https://www.itsrugby.co.uk/players/will-addison-22217.html Playing statistics at ItsRugby.co.uk]</ref> before sustaining a fracture of the lower leg in October which again meant undergoing surgery.<ref>Jonathan Bradley, [https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/rugby/ulster-rugby/ulsters-luckless-will-addison-sustains-broken-leg-40960335.html "Ulster’s luckless Will Addison sustains broken leg"], ''Belfast Telegraph'', 18 October 2021</ref> He signed for Sale at the end of the 2023–24 season,<ref name=addison>Neil Treacey, [https://www.rte.ie/sport/united-rugby-championship/2024/0528/1451662-ulsters-addison-confirms-sale-sharks-return/ "Ulster's Will Addison confirms Sale Sharks return"], RTÉ, 28 May 2024</ref> and left at the end of the season,<ref>{{cite web |title=Former Skipper Addison To Depart |url=https://www.salesharks.com/2025/05/14/former-skipper-addison-to-depart/ |website=Sale Sharks |access-date=14 May 2025 |date=14 May 2025}}</ref> joining semi-professional side Sale FC as a player-coach.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Newcombe |first1=Jon |title=Former Ireland international Will Addison lands coaching role |url=https://www.rugbypass.com/news/former-ireland-international-will-addison-lands-coaching-role/ |website=Rugby Pass |access-date=25 July 2025 |date=25 July 2025}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *[https://ulster.rugby/player/will-addison Ulster Rugby profile] *[https://www.unitedrugby.com/clubs/ulster/will-addison United Rugby Championship profile] *{{EPCR profile|WA856278}} *[https://www.irishrugby.ie/player/?PlayGuid=WA856278 Ireland profile]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Addison, Will}} Category:1992 births Category:Living people Category:Alumni of the University of Manchester Category:English people of Irish descent Category:English rugby union players Category:Ireland international rugby union players Category:Irish rugby union players Category:People educated at Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Penrith Category:Rugby union centres Category:Rugby union fullbacks Category:Rugby union players from Penrith, Cumbria Category:Rugby union wings Category:Sale Sharks players Category:Ulster Rugby players