Ryan Desmond Nell (born 4 September 1990 in Port Elizabeth) is a South African rugby union player for the Pumas in the Currie Cup and Rugby ATL in Major League Rugby (MLR) in the United States.[1] He is a utility back that can play as a centre, winger or full-back.
| Full name | Ryan Desmond Nell | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Date of birth | 4 September 1990 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Port Elizabeth, South Africa | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.92 m (6 ft 3+1⁄2 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 97 kg (15 st 4 lb; 214 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | Paarl Gimnasium, Paarl | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| University | Stellenbosch University | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Career
Youth and Varsity Cup rugby
He represented the Western Province U19 and Western Province U21 teams between 2009 and 2011 and also played for university side Maties in the 2011, 2012 and 2013 Varsity Cup competitions.
Western Province
His first class debut came during the 2013 Currie Cup Premier Division, when he came on as a substitute for Western Province against the Free State Cheetahs at Newlands Stadium, Cape Town.[2]
Blue Bulls
He joined the Blue Bulls for the 2014 season.
Boland Cavaliers
He joined Wellington-based side Boland Cavaliers on trial prior to the 2016 season.[3]
Rugby ATL
Nell joined Major League Rugby side Rugby ATL for the 2020 Major League Rugby season.[4]
Sevens rugby
In 2012, he was included in the S.A. Sevens side and played in two tournaments in the 2011–12 IRB Sevens World Series, the 2012 Scotland Sevens and the 2012 London Sevens.