Wikipedia

Rio Dyer

Rio Dyer (born 21 December 1999) is a Welsh professional rugby union player who plays as a wing for United Rugby Championship club Dragons and the Wales national team.

Rio Dyer
Dyer representing Wales during the Six Nations Championship
Born (1999-12-21) 21 December 1999 (age 26)
Newport, Wales
Height1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)
Weight84 kg (185 lb; 13 st 3 lb)
SchoolNewport High School
Bassaleg School
Rugby union career
Position Wing
Current team Dragons
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2017– Dragons 82 (110)
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2018–2019 Wales U20 7 (10)
2019 Wales 7s 24 (35)
2022– Wales 24 (35)

Club career

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Dyer began his career playing for the Risca RFC and Pill Harriers RFC youth sides, as well as for Newport High School Old Boys RFC.[1]

While part of the Dragons Academy, Dyer made his professional debut on 27 January 2018, against Saracens in the Anglo-Welsh Cup.[2] His first appearance in the Pro14 came against Benetton Rugby the following month.[3]

Dyer was named man of the match on 4 January 2020, as the Dragons beat regional rivals Ospreys 25–18, with Dyer scoring a try in the victory.[4] In March 2020, Dyer signed his first professional contract with the Dragons.[5] He signed an extension in January 2022.[6]

On 23 October 2022, Dyer again claimed a man of the match award against the Ospreys, scoring twice and propelling the Dragons to a 32–25 win.[7]

On 17 January 2024, Dyer signed a long–term contract extension with the Dragons.[8]

International career

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Dyer was a Wales U20 international.[9] He missed the 2019 Six Nations Under 20s Championship to participate in the World Rugby Sevens Series, but rejoined the U20 side for the 2019 World Rugby Under 20 Championship.[10]

On 18 October 2022, Dyer was named in the Wales squad for the 2022 Autumn series.[11] Dyer started against New Zealand on 5 November 2022, and scored the first try for Wales.[12]

Dyer scored his second try for Wales in the final match of the series, a loss against Australia.[13]

Owing to his continued good form, Dyer continued his involvement with the national side, and was named in the Welsh squad for the 2023 Six Nations Championship.[14] Dyer started the first two matches against Ireland and Scotland, but was dropped for the match against England, following Louis Rees-Zammit returning to fitness.

Recalled to the starting team against Italy, he scored his third try for Wales, and secured his first win for the national side.[15] The following week Dyer scored again, against France, securing a try bonus point for Wales as they avoided a wooden spoon finish.[16]

Dyer was named in the Wales squad for the 2023 Rugby World Cup, and appeared in all matches as Wales made the quarter final round.[17]

Dyer was named in the squad for the 2024 Six Nations.[18] He started all matches[19], scoring tries against Scotland and France.[20][21]

Dyer was selected for the 2025 end-of-year rugby union internationals.[22] He started against South Africa.[23][24]

Career statistics

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List of international tries

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No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 5 November 2022 Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Wales  New Zealand 5–17 23–55 2022 end-of-year rugby union internationals
2 26 November 2022 Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Wales  Australia 32–13 34–39 2022 end-of-year rugby union internationals
3 11 March 2023 Stadio Olimpico, Rome, Italy  Italy 8–0 29–17 2023 Six Nations Championship
4 18 March 2023 Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France  France 26–41 28–41 2023 Six Nations Championship
5 3 February 2024 Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Wales  Scotland 10–27 26–27 2024 Six Nations Championship
6 10 March 2024 Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Wales  France 8–0 24–45 2024 Six Nations Championship

as of 10 March 2024

References

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  1. ↑ "Teenage speedster Dyer aiming to build on Dragons debut against Euro champs". South Wales Argus. 29 January 2018. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
  2. ↑ Sands, Katie (27 April 2021). "New kid Rio Dyer is already one of Wales' fastest players as excitement grows". WalesOnline. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  3. ↑ "Dragons 15-18 Benetton Rugby". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  4. ↑ "Dragons inflict more misery on Ospreys". BBC Sport. Retrieved 23 January 2023.
  5. ↑ "Dragon News : Speedster Dyer signs contract". Dragons RFC. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
  6. ↑ "Dragons back rapid winger to kick on after agreeing new contract". South Wales Argus. 12 January 2022. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
  7. ↑ "Dyer double gives Dragons Welsh bragging rights". rugby365.com. Retrieved 23 January 2023.
  8. ↑ "Wales wing Dyer signs new 'multi-year' Dragons deal". BBC Sport. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
  9. ↑ "Wales name squad for U20 World Championships". itv. 10 May 2018. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
  10. ↑ worldrugby.org. "Strong sevens influence in Wales U20 Championship squad | World Rugby". www.world.rugby. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  11. ↑ "Wales autumn rugby squad announcement as Wayne Pivac names five uncapped players". Wales Online. 18 October 2022. Retrieved 20 October 2022.
  12. ↑ "Wales v New Zealand Live: Score updates as Justin Tipuric and Rio Dyer claim tries". Wales Online. 5 November 2022. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
  13. ↑ "Wales 34-39 Australia: Autumn Nations Series – as it happened". the Guardian. 26 November 2022. Retrieved 23 January 2023.
  14. ↑ "Owens captains new 37-man Wales squad - Welsh Rugby Union". Welsh Rugby Union | Wales & Regions. 17 January 2023. Retrieved 23 January 2023.
  15. ↑ "Wales secure bonus-point win against Italy in Rome". BBC Sport. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
  16. ↑ "France beat Wales but Six Nations hopes dashed". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  17. ↑ "Wales reveal squad for Rugby World Cup 2023 - Welsh Rugby Union". Welsh Rugby Union | Wales & Regions. 21 August 2023. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
  18. ↑ "Six Nations 2024: Dafydd Jenkins to lead Wales as Louis Rees-Zammit heads to NFL". BBC Sport. 16 January 2024. Retrieved 5 December 2025.
  19. ↑ "Wales Six Nations 2024 Fixtures". Six Nations Guide. Retrieved 5 December 2025.
  20. ↑ "Six Nations 2024: Wales 26-27 Scotland - Scots survive stunning comeback". BBC Sport. 3 February 2024. Retrieved 5 December 2025.
  21. ↑ Aylwin, Michael (10 March 2024). "Late Taofifénua and Lucu tries seal emphatic win for France against Wales". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 5 December 2025.
  22. ↑ undefined, undefined. "Wales name squad for 2025 Quilter Nations Series | Autumn Internationals Rugby - Quilter Nations Series". www.sixnationsrugby.com. Retrieved 5 December 2025.
  23. ↑ "Wales v South Africa - Rugby Union". BBC Sport. Retrieved 5 December 2025.
  24. ↑ "Wales 0-73 South Africa: Springboks humiliate hosts, who suffer record home defeat". BBC Sport. 29 November 2025. Retrieved 5 December 2025.
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