Dave Sims (rugby union)

David Sims (22 November 1969 – 19 March 2022)^[1] was an English rugby union footballer, a lock forward for Gloucester RFC. He won three England caps on the 1998 Tour of Hell.

Dave Sims

Full name	David Sims
Date of birth	(1969-11-22)22 November 1969
Place of birth	Gloucester, Gloucestershire, England
Date of death	19 March 2022(2022-03-19) (aged 52)
Height	6 ft 6 in (198 cm)
Notable relative(s)	Jenny Sims, Ed Sims
Occupation(s)	Building site manager / former Rugby player
Rugby union career
Youth career … Coaching career Years Team …

Career

Club rugby

Born in Gloucester and educated at Churchdown School,^[2] Sims is the grandson of former Cheltenham and England player Tom Price.^[3][2] After playing for Longlevens RFC, he made his debut for Gloucester in the 1987–88 season, progressing to the first XV by November 1988.^[3] He played for the club for 12 years, including captaining the team for two seasons.^[3][4] He moved to Worcester for the 1999–2000 season before moving on loan to Bedford in January 2000.^[3] In 2001, he captained the England National Divisions team against Australia at Welford Road Stadium.^[5] He joined Exeter in 2002,^[4] before moving on to Launceston RFC, Taunton R.F.C., and then after being released by Taunton joined Wellington RFC, where he filled a player/coach role and took the club to the Western Counties West league.^[3][6][7] He then became head coach for the Withycombe RFC senior squads, while playing at lock for the 1st XV.^[3][8]

Sims represented The Barbarians on three occasions, in 1995, 1996, and 1999.^[3]

International rugby

Sims represented England at Under 21 level in 1990, before going to represent the country at B, A and senior level, gaining three senior caps on the 1998 England rugby union tour of Australasia and South Africa.^[3][2][9]