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Key Information

Samson Lee (born 30 November 1992) is a Welsh former professional rugby union player. Lee played for the Scarlets, as well as local teams Llanelli and Ammanford.[1] His position is prop forward. Lee has represented Wales, making his debut against Argentina in November 2013.

Club career

[edit]

Lee began playing rugby with the Felinfoel RFC youth side, as well as with Coedcae School.[2] Lee joined the Scarlets at age 15, and progressed through the academy while playing for Ammanford RFC and later Llanelli RFC. He made his first Scarlets appearance in a preseason friendly against Narbonne.[3]

Lee was named in the 2013–14 Pro12 Dream Team, along with teammates Gareth Davies and Liam Williams.[4]

In 2015, Lee signed a national dual contract with the Scarlets and WRU.[5] He extended the contract the following year.[6]

Ahead of the 2016–17 Pro12 season, Lee underwent shoulder surgery, missing the beginning of the season.[7] Lee was part of the Scarlets squad that won the league that season, but suffered a recurrence of a knee injury in the final.[8]

Lee extended his Scarlets contract in 2020, and on 11 October 2020, made his 150th appearance for the Scarlets.[9][10]

In 2022, Lee suffered another achilles injury, a long term injury.[11] Lee made his return to the field on 6 May 2023, for Llandovery RFC against Newport, after 14 months of recovery.[12] Shortly after returning to play, he signed a new contract with the Scarlets.[13]

Lee announced his retirement on 14 December 2023, having failed to fully overcome the achilles injury.[14]

International career

[edit]

In 2012 Lee represented the Wales national under-20 rugby union team, in both the 2012 Six Nations Under 20s Championship and 2012 IRB Junior World Championship.[15] He was part of the U20 squad that defeated New Zealand U20 in the Junior World Championship for the first time.[16]

In October 2012 he was called into the Wales squad for the 2012 end-of-year rugby union internationals, but did not make his debut.[17] He made his full international debut versus Argentina on 16 November 2013 as a second-half replacement. He came off the bench in the next two test matches, against Samoa and Australia. Lee was selected in the squad for the 2014 Six Nations Championship, but did not gain any further caps.[18]

Lee was selected in the squad for the 2014 Wales rugby union tour of South Africa, coming off the bench in the first test. He made his first start in the second test, as Wales narrowly lost to South Africa, in place of stalwart Adam Jones.[19] Lee was cited for a headbutt on Flip van der Merwe and received a five week ban.[20] By the autumn, Lee was pushing for first choice, starting all four tests in the series.

For the 2015 Six Nations Championship, Lee retained the starting berth, but was ruled out of the second match against Scotland, having suffered a concussion in the opening fixture against England.[21] He returned to the team after recovering, but suffered an achilles injury against Ireland, which ruled him out for the remainder of the season.[22] Lee overcame odds to recover in time for the 2015 Rugby World Cup.[23] During the tournament, Lee scored his first international try, coming against Uruguay.

Lee started all five matches for Wales during the 2016 Six Nations Championship. During the match against England, he was racially abused by prop Joe Marler, for which Marler received a two match ban and £20,000 fine.[24] Lee also played against England in a warm up match ahead of the 2016 Wales rugby union tour of New Zealand. Lee played in all three of the tests, starting the final two.

A knee injury ruled Lee out of the 2017 Wales rugby union tour of Tonga and Samoa.[25] Another achilles injury would see Lee unable to participate in the 2017 end-of-year rugby union internationals.[26] Lee recovered in time to be selected for the 2018 Six Nations Championship, starting the first three matches of the series.[27] A back injury prevented Lee from featuring in any of the tests on the 2018 Wales rugby union tour to Argentina and the United States.[28] Finally, a hamstring injury kept Lee out of the 2018 end-of-year rugby union internationals.[29]

Lee recovered in time to participate in the 2019 Six Nations Championship, featuring in the first two tests before succumbing to injury, as Wales went on to win the Grand Slam.[30][31] Lee was not selected in the squad for the 2019 Rugby World Cup.[32] After more than a year out of international reckoning, Lee returned to the Wales squad for the 2020 end-of-year rugby union internationals, playing in four of the tests.[33] Injury would prevent his selection for the 2021 Six Nations Championship.[34] Lee earned a recall to the Wales squad for the 2021 July rugby union tests, following an injury to Tomas Francis, but he did not appear in any match day squad.[35]

International tries

[edit]
Try Opponent Location Venue Competition Date Result
1  Uruguay Cardiff, Wales Millennium Stadium 2015 Rugby World Cup 20 September 2015 Win

Personal life

[edit]

Lee is a member of the Traveller community.[36][37] He was subject to racial abuse from England prop Joe Marler during a Six Nations match in 2016, for which Marler received a fine and two match ban.[24]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Samson Lee

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Samson Lee is a Welsh former professional player who specialized as a tight-head . A product of the academy from , he debuted for the club in 2011 and went on to make 164 appearances over 12 seasons, establishing himself as a key figure in their forward pack. Lee earned 34 caps for the national team, including participation in international tours and the , contributing to the side's set-piece stability. His career was cut short in December 2023 when, at age 31, he announced his retirement due to a chronic injury that prevented full recovery despite extensive rehabilitation efforts.

Early life

Background and family heritage

Samson Lee was born on 30 November 1992 in , , . Lee hails from a large Traveller family of Romani heritage based in , with reports indicating he has 61 first cousins. He has publicly expressed pride in this background, noting it as a source of community achievement and stating that he is the first Traveller to represent at international rugby level. This heritage aligns with traditional Traveller practices, as evidenced by Lee's efforts to secure planning permissions for caravan sites to accommodate members in rural areas, including applications in 2017 for six caravans and in 2020 for four additional units.

Education and initial rugby exposure

Lee attended Coedcae Comprehensive School in , where he first engaged with rugby through school teams. He began playing organized rugby at age 11 with the youth section of Felinfoel RFC, a local club in . Following secondary school, Lee progressed to Coleg Sir Gâr, a further education college in , continuing his rugby development alongside academic studies. At under-16 level, he joined the Scarlets academy, marking his entry into professional rugby pathways while balancing club play with teams such as Ammanford RFC and later . This early exposure emphasized scrummaging fundamentals, leveraging Lee's physical attributes from a Traveller family background, which contributed to his rapid academy progression by age 15. Local club and matches provided initial competitive experience, fostering skills that led to regional recognition before his senior debut.

Club career

Development with Scarlets academy

Samson Lee, a tighthead prop from , joined the at under-16 level after playing youth rugby for Felinfoel RFC and later RFC, where he made 15 appearances starting in 2010. His early development emphasized physical conditioning and scrummaging technique, aligning with the ' focus on home-grown forwards from the area. Lee progressed through the alongside contemporaries and Liam Williams, benefiting from the region's structured pathway that integrated schoolboy talent from local clubs into regional development squads. By 2012, as a , he was highlighted for potential regional exposure, with coaches noting his strength and potential to anchor scrums at senior levels. This period included pre-season tours, such as one to , which prepared academy players for professional demands ahead of his breakthrough.

Senior debut and progression at Scarlets

Lee made his senior debut for the on 17 2012, aged 19, in a pre-season friendly against French side , coming off the bench in a 32–6 victory. This appearance marked the start of his transition from the academy to the senior squad, where he competed as a tighthead known for his scrummaging strength. Over the following seasons, Lee established himself as a key front-row player, featuring regularly in the Pro12 (later Pro14) and European competitions. By the 2014–15 season, his performances earned him a national dual contract with the and in January 2015, reflecting his growing reliability in set-piece play and match fitness. He contributed to the ' 2016–17 Pro12 title win, starting in the playoff semi-final and final victories. Lee's progression included reaching his 150th appearance for the on 11 October 2020, against the in the Pro14, underscoring his longevity despite occasional injury setbacks. Across 12 seasons, he amassed 164 caps for the region, primarily as a starter in tighthead duties, before injury curtailed his later years.

International career

Wales debut and Six Nations involvement

Lee made his debut for on 16 November 2013, entering as a replacement in the 40–6 victory over during the autumn internationals. His first start followed on 21 June 2014 against , where he lined up in the front row alongside and in a mid-year tour match. Lee's involvement in the Six Nations Championship began in the 2015 edition, where he featured heavily across multiple fixtures, contributing to ' campaign that included victories over , , and . He started all five matches in the 2016 tournament, anchoring the scrum in games such as the 19–10 win over and the narrow 27–23 defeat to at , during which opponent directed racial abuse toward him by calling him a "gypsy boy," an incident that drew public attention but resulted in no formal sanction for Marler. In the 2017 Six Nations, Lee appeared in fixtures including the loss to and the defeat to . He returned for the 2019 championship, playing in the opening two matches before injury sidelined him, as secured the Grand Slam title—their first since 2012—with subsequent wins over , , and . These appearances helped Lee accumulate 45 caps for overall, with his Six Nations contributions highlighting his role as a reliable tighthead despite recurring injury challenges.

World Cup participation and tours

Lee was included in Wales' 31-man squad for the despite recovering from a ruptured sustained in March 2015. He started in the opening pool match against on 20 September 2015 at the , scoring his first international try in a 38–19 victory. Lee made five appearances across the tournament, including the quarter-final loss to on 18 October 2015, as Wales finished second in Pool A but exited in the . He was not selected for the squad. Lee participated in ' 2016 mid-year test series tour of , featuring in all three matches against the All Blacks. He appeared as a replacement in the first test on 11 June 2016 at , which lost 39–21, and started the second test on 18 June 2016 at Westpac Stadium, a 27–6 defeat. In the decisive third test on 25 June 2016 at [Forsyth Barr Stadium](/page/Forsyth Barr Stadium), Lee entered as a substitute in a 46–6 loss, concluding a 3–0 series whitewash for . A subsequent injury from the tour required surgery, sidelining him briefly post-tour.

Career statistics including tries

Samson Lee accumulated 46 caps for across various competitions from his debut in 2013 to his final appearance in 2020, with the majority coming in the Six Nations (19 caps) and other test matches (19 caps), alongside 5 appearances and 3 in the . He scored a single international try, worth 5 points, during the pool match against on 26 September 2015, where secured a 21–3 victory. As a tighthead , Lee's contributions emphasized scrummaging and set-piece stability rather than attacking output, reflected in his limited try tally despite consistent selection in high-stakes fixtures like the Six Nations and quarter-finals.
CompetitionAppearancesStartsTriesPoints
Six Nations191200
Other Tests191300
5415
3300
Total463215
In his club career primarily with the , spanning 2012 to 2023, Lee featured in 129 matches across domestic and European competitions, scoring 4 tries for 20 points total—rarities for a , with his first Scarlets try arriving in October 2017 after over 100 appearances. These outputs aligned with his role in forward packs, prioritizing physical dominance over scoring, as evidenced by his involvement in the ' 2017 Pro12 title win.

Injuries and career challenges

Key injuries and their impacts

Samson Lee's career was significantly disrupted by recurrent lower-body injuries, beginning with a severe in 2015 that sidelined him for seven months and required substantial rehabilitation to regain calf strength and bulk. This injury limited his availability for matches and training sessions during his breakthrough period, delaying his consolidation as a starting tight-head despite prior promise. In May 2016, Lee sustained a serious knee injury during the Pro12 final against , which forced him to miss ' summer tour and contributed to inconsistent selection in subsequent seasons. A recurring knee issue in 2017 further excluded him from the tour of and , exacerbating concerns over his durability in high-stakes international rugby. These knee problems, compounded by the physical demands of the position, reduced his fitness and impacted his scrummaging reliability, a core attribute of his playing style. A hamstring strain in November 2018 ruled Lee out of ' autumn internationals, interrupting a potential recall to the national squad amid ongoing recovery from prior setbacks. The most career-altering injury occurred in March 2022, when Lee ruptured his during training in , ending his season prematurely and triggering an 18-month rehabilitation period marked by persistent pain and incomplete recovery. This led to limited appearances upon brief return in 2023, ultimately forcing his at age 31 as the tendon failed to heal sufficiently for demands. Collectively, these injuries curtailed Lee's international caps to 54 and restricted his club contributions, transforming a prop once hailed for raw power into a figure defined by resilience amid chronic physical breakdown.

Recovery attempts and fitness criticisms

Lee ruptured his during Wales' Six Nations match against on March 8, 2015, which initially sidelined him for an estimated six to seven months. Despite the severity, he underwent intensive rehabilitation and returned ahead of schedule for the , participating in all four of Wales' pool matches starting September 20, 2015. Lee later stated he had "no regrets" about the accelerated timeline, noting post-tournament rest allowed him to build lung capacity and leg strength, though he acknowledged the physical toll required sacrificing personal comforts like alcohol and social activities during recovery. The premature return drew fitness criticisms, with Wales coach Warren Gatland describing Lee as only "touch and go" for early World Cup games due to incomplete conditioning. Scarlets omitted him from their European Champions Cup opener against Northampton on November 7, 2015, citing general fitness concerns post-injury. Observers noted his scrummaging power remained evident but questioned his overall match sharpness and endurance, contributing to ' early World Cup exit. By February , Lee reported regaining full calf strength through sustained rehab, allowing a return to international duty. A subsequent knee injury in the 2016 Pro12 final against on May 27, 2016, prompted further recovery efforts, including targeted strengthening, though it caused him to miss Wales' summer tour. In March 2022, Lee suffered another Achilles rupture during ' training in , leading to an 18-month rehabilitation period focused on surgical repair and progressive loading exercises. Despite diligent work, medical assessments concluded insufficient healing by late 2023, forcing on December 14, 2023; Lee emphasized his commitment but accepted the had not responded as anticipated. No widespread criticisms of his conditioning emerged beyond injury contexts, with reports highlighting his exceptional neck strength—measuring 23 inches—as a consistent asset rather than a liability.

Retirement and legacy

Retirement due to injury

On 14 December 2023, Samson Lee, the Scarlets and Wales tighthead prop, announced his retirement from professional rugby at the age of 31, having been unable to recover from a ruptured Achilles tendon. The injury occurred during a Scarlets training session in South Africa on 15 March 2022, sidelining him indefinitely and marking the end of his playing career after over a decade at the professional level. Despite extensive rehabilitation efforts spanning 18 months, Lee was advised by medical specialists that he could not safely return to competitive play, a decision confirmed by the in their official statement. Lee himself described the period as "difficult," noting the challenge of prolonged absence from the sport while expressing gratitude for his career opportunities. This Achilles rupture represented the culmination of recurring injury issues that had intermittently disrupted his availability, though the 2022 incident proved insurmountable.

Post-retirement activities and reflections

Following his announcement on December 14, 2023, Samson Lee reflected on the challenges of an 18-month recovery from a ruptured sustained in March 2022, stating, "I have worked hard to try and get back playing again, but the Achilles hasn't recovered as we all hoped it would." He expressed pride in his career achievements, including 164 appearances for the over 12 seasons, 45 caps for , participation in the , and the 2019 Six Nations Grand Slam, noting, "I feel as though I still had a lot to offer, both with the and , but I'm hugely proud, as a Llanelli boy, that I have been able to represent my home town." In the immediate aftermath, Lee participated in a ceremonial role by leading out the team for their match against the Ospreys on December 26, 2023, at . He indicated optimism about the region's future, looking forward to observing the development of emerging front-row players. By early 2025, Lee pursued a potential charity match against former prop Joe , stemming from their past on-field rivalry, including Marler's 2016 controversy where he referred to Lee as "gypsy boy." Lee messaged Marler proposing the bout for his fund, asking, "Alright butt, I hope you're well... Are you interested in a charity match?" and adding, "What do you think then butt, I think we can make f***ing mint." As of March 2025, the match remained unconfirmed, pending Marler's availability after his own retirement in November 2024.

Honours and achievements

Club-level accomplishments

Samson Lee progressed through the Scarlets academy after starting with local clubs Felinfoel RFC and Llanelli RFC, making his professional debut for the in October 2012 against Benetton Treviso. Over 12 seasons with the region, he amassed 164 appearances, establishing himself as a reliable tighthead prop known for his scrummaging strength. Lee's most notable club achievement came during the 2016–17 Pro12 season, where he played a key role in the ' campaign, starting in crucial matches and anchoring the scrum en route to the playoffs. The team, finishing third in the regular season, advanced to defeat 46–10 in the grand final on 27 May 2017 at , securing the Pro12 title— the ' first league championship since 2004. In the following 2017–18 season, Lee contributed to the ' strong league form, helping them reach the Pro14 final, though they fell 40–32 to . His club tenure also included participation in European competitions, with appearances in the Heineken Champions Cup, though no further titles were secured amid persistent injury interruptions.

International caps and team successes

Lee made his Test debut for on 8 June 2013 against in San Juan, starting as tighthead in a 40–9 victory during the non-cap summer tour. He accumulated 45 caps for by the time of his international retirement in 2023, featuring primarily as a tighthead in a career spanning a decade. Lee represented at the in , where the team topped Pool A with victories over , , and before a 23–19 quarter-final defeat to . His most notable team success came during the , where achieved the Grand Slam—their first since 2008—by defeating all opponents, including 25–7 in the final match at the on 16 March 2019; Lee started in four of the five fixtures. Overall, Lee's record stood at 22 wins, 1 draw, and 22 losses from his 45 appearances, reflecting contributions to a period of competitive but inconsistent national team performance amid frequent injuries.

Personal life

Traveller community background

Samson Lee was born into the Welsh Traveller community, a nomadic ethnic group with roots in itinerant trades and traditional living in caravans. He grew up in a caravan in , , leaving that lifestyle at age 14 to pursue rugby opportunities, with the explicit goal of earning enough to purchase land for his family to settle permanently. Lee has publicly expressed pride in his Traveller heritage, describing himself as the first member of the travelling community to represent at international level when he debuted in 2014. This milestone underscored his role as a trailblazer, breaking barriers in a sport historically dominated by settled populations. His background gained wider attention during the 2016 Six Nations match against on March 12, when opponent referred to him as "Gypsy boy," prompting a misconduct charge. subsequently banned Marler for two matches and fined him £20,000, while Lee affirmed that the comment did not deter his sense of identity or performance. Post-career, Lee has advocated for Traveller needs by applying for planning permissions to expand family caravan sites in , including approvals in 2017 for six caravans and further proposals in 2020 for four more, reflecting ongoing ties to communal living arrangements despite his professional success.

Family and off-field interests

Lee hails from a large extended Traveller family, reporting over 60 cousins, with more than 20 regularly attending his matches for the Scarlets and Wales national team. This familial support underscored his rugby career, culminating in him leading out the Scarlets alongside family members prior to a December 2023 home fixture against the Ospreys, shortly before his retirement announcement. Off the field, Lee has prioritized family security and continuity of Traveller traditions, actively pursuing private residential sites in the vicinity. In March 2017, he applied for for a site in Llangennech to accommodate his household, citing prior experiences at public halting sites such as Morfa and Penybryn, where vulnerabilities to unauthorized access prompted the shift toward a controlled private arrangement. A subsequent 2020 proposal reiterated these family ties, emphasizing long-standing connections to local Traveller networks and the need for stable, secure accommodations amid ongoing relocations. These efforts reflect a practical focus on familial welfare over nomadic improvisation, aligning with broader Traveller community adaptations to modern regulatory constraints.

References

  1. https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/67681506
  2. https://www.scarlets.wales/article/samson-lee-announces-retirement-from-rugby/
  3. https://www.ultimaterugby.com/samson-lee
  4. https://www.rugbypass.com/news/wales-prop-lee-returns-to-rugby-after-14-months-out/
  5. https://www.southwalesguardian.co.uk/news/24003667.injury-forces-welsh-international-samson-lee-retire-rugby/
  6. https://www.thetimes.com/travel/destinations/uk-travel/im-the-strongest-ive-ever-been-says-the-welsh-samson-jnv2gftmxj0
  7. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/rugby-world-cup/11889083/England-vs-Wales-Samson-Lee-is-a-monster-I-dont-think-anyone-knows-how-good-he-could-be.html
  8. https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/35852374
  9. https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/samson-lee-speaks-out-reveals-11065889
  10. https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/local-news/samson-lee-traveller-life-llangennech-12769197
  11. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5164377/Rugby-star-wins-planning-permission-six-caravans.html
  12. https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/traveller-site-llangennech-samson-lee-19337790
  13. https://www.rugbyworld.com/news/future-faces-samson-lee-and-maro-itoje-24390
  14. https://community.wru.wales/2012/07/25/samson-eyes-regional-exposure/
  15. https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/30716043
  16. http://www.sporting-heroes.net/rugby/wales/samson-lee-12814/international-rugby-caps_a37859/
  17. https://www.skysports.com/rugby-union/news/12321/9354504/scarlets-prop-samson-lee-to-make-full-wales-debut-against-south-africa
  18. https://mail.rugbydatabase.co.nz/player/appearancesByTeam.php?teamId=44&playerId=11128
  19. https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/aug/31/wales-rugby-world-cup-squad-samson-lee-liam-williams-tomas-francis-dominic-day
  20. https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/34286784
  21. https://all.rugby/player/samson-lee
  22. https://www.offtheball.com/rugby/rob-evans-samson-lee-dropped-wales-name-world-cup-squad-900331
  23. https://www.world.rugby/beta/match/22796
  24. https://www.world.rugby/beta/match/22793
  25. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/36628644
  26. https://www.skysports.com/rugby-union/news/15187/10335601/scarlets-prop-samson-lee-to-miss-the-start-of-season-after-surgery
  27. https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/35154706
  28. https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/rugby/arid-30808960.html
  29. https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/trials-tribulations-samson-lee-once-18594760
  30. https://www.exposport.co.uk/2020/10/24/the-rise-fall-and-rise-again-of-samson-lee/
  31. https://www.espn.com/rugby/story/_/id/19543386/phil-dollman-samson-lee-ruled-wales-tour-injury
  32. https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/46185080
  33. https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/samson-lees-season-looks-over-23414801
  34. https://www.scarlets.wales/article/injury-update-samson-lee/
  35. https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/65508626
  36. https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/sep/21/wales-injury-england-world-cup
  37. https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/rugby-world-cup-2015-samson-10088001
  38. https://www.espn.co.uk/rugby/story/_/id/13457416/one-month-go-how-wales-shaping-rugby-world-cup
  39. https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/34778638
  40. https://community.wru.wales/2016/02/24/lee-reveals-his-road-to-recovery/
  41. https://www.rugbypass.com/news/achilles-injury-forces-wales-prop-to-retire-at-31/
  42. https://www.the42.ie/samson-lee-6249632-Dec2023/
  43. https://www.express.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/2033957/Joe-Marler-Samson-Lee-boxing-fight
  44. https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/65616741
  45. https://www.scarlets.wales/article/new-contract-for-samson-lee/
  46. https://www.express.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/913784/Six-Nations-2018-Samson-Lee-Wales-England-Warren-Gatland-Scotland-EXCLUSIVE
  47. https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/35967459
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