Uche Oduoza (born 15 October 1986 in
Glasgow
Glasgow ( ; sco, Glesca or ; gd, Glaschu ) is the most populous city in Scotland and the fourth-most populous city in the United Kingdom, as well as being the 27th largest city by population in Europe. In 2020, it had an estimated popul ...
,
Scotland
Scotland (, ) is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. Covering the northern third of the island of Great Britain, mainland Scotland has a Anglo-Scottish border, border with England to the southeast ...
) is an
English
English usually refers to:
* English language
* English people
English may also refer to:
Peoples, culture, and language
* ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England
** English national ide ...
rugby union
Rugby union, commonly known simply as rugby, is a close-contact team sport that originated at Rugby School in the first half of the 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand. In it ...
player who currently plays for
Leeds Carnegie
Leeds Carnegie was a brand name used by several sports teams associated with the Carnegie School of Physical Education, now part of Leeds Beckett University. These include:
Current
* Leeds Carnegie Handball Club
Changed name
* Leeds Carnegie ...
. Oduoza's position of choice is
wing
A wing is a type of fin that produces lift while moving through air or some other fluid. Accordingly, wings have streamlined cross-sections that are subject to aerodynamic forces and act as airfoils. A wing's aerodynamic efficiency is e ...
although he can also play
fullback.
Career
Born in Glasgow, Oduoza grew up in Exeter where he joined his local club side Exeter Saracens. He was spotted by Worcester's Academy Manager whilst representing England at Under 18 level. Oduoza later joined the Worcester Warriors Academy side and was a regular in the A league.
He made his senior side debut in the
European Cup against Italian side
Rugby Rovigo
stadium, 200px
Rugby Rovigo Delta, formerly known until 2010 as Rugby Rovigo, is an Italian rugby union club currently competing in the Top10.
They are based in Rovigo, in Veneto.
The club was founded in 1935 by medical student Dino Lanzoni, wh ...
whilst he was still at school in Wolverhampton and his league debut against local rivals
Gloucester
Gloucester ( ) is a cathedral city and the county town of Gloucestershire in the South West of England. Gloucester lies on the River Severn, between the Cotswolds to the east and the Forest of Dean to the west, east of Monmouth and east ...
. He also spent time on loan at
Birmingham and Solihull R.F.C.
Oduoza has represented his country at U18, U19, U21 levels and for the Sevens side. He scored a fantastic 98m try for England in the
2008 San Diego Sevens.
While competing for the England Sevens, Oduoza announced that he would be leaving Worcester for Japanese side
Suntory Sungoliath after the 2007–08 season. It was also announced that he had rejected a new two-year deal at Worcester. He then returned to the
Guinness Premiership for the 2009–10 season with
Newcastle Falcons
Newcastle Falcons is a rugby union team that play in Premiership Rugby, England's highest division of rugby union.
The club was established in 1877 as the Gosforth Football Club. Around 1882 the club merged with the Northumberland Football Cl ...
. Oduoza will be combining his rugby career with studying medicine at the
Hull York Medical School
Hull York Medical School (HYMS) is a medical school in England which took its first intake of students in 2003. It was opened as a part of the British Government's attempts to train more doctors, along with Brighton and Sussex Medical School, ...
.
At the end of the 2009–10 season due to his university commitments Oduoza had made only one appearance for the Falcons first team, starting in an
LV Cup match against Worcester. In May 2010 he was named as an unattached player as part of the
England Sevens
The England national rugby sevens team competes in the World Rugby Sevens Series, Rugby World Cup Sevens and the Commonwealth Games. England's best finish in the Sevens Series is second place, which they have achieved four times, most recently i ...
squad at the
Scotland Sevens in Edinburgh.
In early March 2011 Uduoza returned to train with England Sevens after recovering from a knee reconstruction. In early April he featured on the bench for the
Leeds Carnegie
Leeds Carnegie was a brand name used by several sports teams associated with the Carnegie School of Physical Education, now part of Leeds Beckett University. These include:
Current
* Leeds Carnegie Handball Club
Changed name
* Leeds Carnegie ...
"A" team against
Northampton Saints
Northampton Saints (officially Northampton Rugby Football Club) is a professional rugby union club from Northampton, England. They play in Premiership Rugby, England's top division of rugby.
They were formed in 1880 as "Northampton St. James", ...
Wanderers and made his first team debut for the club also against
Northampton Saints
Northampton Saints (officially Northampton Rugby Football Club) is a professional rugby union club from Northampton, England. They play in Premiership Rugby, England's top division of rugby.
They were formed in 1880 as "Northampton St. James", ...
in the Premiership. In June 2011 he was recalled to the England Sevens squad for the Moscow leg of the European Sevens Grand Prix.
References
External links
Worcester profileNewcastle profileEngland profileGuinness Premiership profile
{{DEFAULTSORT:Oduoza, Uche
1986 births
Living people
Rugby union wings
Scottish rugby union players
Worcester Warriors players
Newcastle Falcons players
Black British sportspeople
Rugby union players from Glasgow