News

Dunbar wins first international rugby cap

(11 February 2005)

Jon Dunbar has become the 33rd Durham graduate to win an international rugby honour.

The 6ft 5ins Leeds Tykes flanker came on for Scotland for the last five minutes in the game against France in Paris on 5 February 2005.

Replacing Stuart Grimes in this exciting match, he gained his first international cap at senior level for Scotland. The Vice Chancellor of Durham University, Sir Kenneth Calman, has written to Jon congratulating him on his achievement.

Originally playing for Grove RFC in Oxfordshire, he moved to the North East to read European Studies and French at Queen’s Campus Stockton, from where he graduated in 2001.

This is when he caught the attention of selectors at the Newcastle Falcons, where he made his debut in the 2001-2002 season. He made a starting appearance in the winning side of the Powergen Cup Final in April of 2004, after which he joined the Leeds Tykes.

He played at all development levels for England’s U18, U19 up to U21, but withdrew from the latter in his final year at the University to concentrate on his studies. He then opted to turn out for Scotland, for which he is qualified, with both his parents having been born in Edinburgh.

Sir Kenneth told Jon that the final result took nothing away from an excellent team effort and congratulated him on playing a part in such a memorable moment in Scottish rugby history.

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Media contact: Joy Davis, Public Relations, Durham University Tel:+44 (0) 191 334 6803, e-mail: joy.davis@durham.ac.uk