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Tim Visser
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Key Information
Tim Visser (Dutch pronunciation: [tɪɱ ˈvɪsər]; born 29 May 1987) is a Dutch rugby union player, who played as a winger for the Scotland national team and for English club Harlequins.
Early life
[edit]Visser was born in De Bilt, Netherlands. He was brought up in Maartensdijk and played for RC Hilversum, the club where his father played.[2] He joined the Newcastle Falcons Academy as a teenager, after having been spotted playing in the Amsterdam Sevens. On moving to England he joined Barnard Castle School and went on to represent England Schools at under-18 level in 2005.
Newcastle Falcons
[edit]Having signed a two-year contract with Newcastle in April 2007, he started the 2007–08 season on loan with the recently relegated Northampton Saints.[3]
Visser made his competitive debut in the English Premiership on 8 September 2006 against Worcester, coming on as a substitute and scoring the winning try. He played a further 10 games for the Falcons in his first season, scoring four tries in total, before finishing the season on loan to Darlington Mowden Park, a National Division Three club.[4]
The 2008–09 season saw Visser add another five tries for Newcastle in 21 appearances, but at the end of the season he chose to sign for the Celtic League club Edinburgh.
Edinburgh Rugby
[edit]Visser was the top try scorer in the Pro12 league in each of his first four seasons for Edinburgh.
In his first season in the Scottish capital Visser became top scorer in the Magners League with 10 tries, winning the Young Player of the Season Award and being named in the Magners League Dream Team. In the 2010–11 season he again became top try scorer with 14 tries. He was again included in the Magners League Dream Team. Visser finished the 2011–12 Pro12 season with 13 tries, again being the league's top try scorer. With Edinburgh, Visser also reached the semi-finals of the 2011–12 Heineken Cup, scoring four tries in total during the competition, and was selected for the third consecutive season to the RaboDirect Pro12 Dream Team. In addition he was voted the Player's Player of the Season.[5]
In March 2015 it was announced that Visser would move on from Edinburgh at the end of the season to join Harlequins.[6]
Barbarians
[edit]On 29 May 2011, his 24th birthday, Visser made his debut for the Barbarians against England. Visser scored two tries, including a last effort try which saw the Barbarians snatch away the victory from England at Twickenham.
International career
[edit]Visser opted not to play for the Netherlands in order to become eligible to play test rugby for one of the Home Nations. World Rugby eligibility rules state that a player may play for a country's national team after 3 years of residency. Visser stated in 2011 that he wished to play for Scotland when he became eligible in June 2012.[7] Scotland coach Andy Robinson named Visser to the 28-player squad for Scotland's tour of Oceania in June 2012.[8] He completed his three years of residency on 12 June and thus was not available for the match in Australia on 5 June, but was available for their two remaining tests against Fiji and Samoa.[8][9]
Visser made his Scotland debut against Fiji on 16 June and scored two tries in a 37–25 win.[10][11] Visser made his home debut against New Zealand on 11 November 2012 during the autumn internationals, scoring two tries.
Two tries in the defeat of Italy in August 2015 helped Visser clinch a place in the 31-man squad for the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
On 3 May 2018 Tim Visser announced his retirement from international rugby.[12][13]
International tries
[edit]| Try | Opponent | City/Country | Venue | Competition | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| [1–2] | Lautoka, Fiji | Churchill Park | Summer Tour | 2012 | |
| [3–4] | Edinburgh, Scotland | Murrayfield Stadium | Autumn Test | 2012 | |
| [5] | Edinburgh, Scotland | Murrayfield Stadium | Six Nations | 2013 | |
| [6] | Saint-Denis, France | Stade de France | Six Nations | 2013 | |
| [7] | Houston, USA | BBVA Compass | Summer Tour | 2014 | |
| [8–9] | Edinburgh, Scotland | Murrayfield Stadium | World Cup warm-up | 2015 | |
| [10] | Leeds, England | Elland Road | 2015 Rugby World Cup | 2015 | |
| [11] | Edinburgh, Scotland | Murrayfield Stadium | Six Nations | 2016 | |
| [12] | Edinburgh, Scotland | Murrayfield Stadium | Six Nations | 2017 | |
| [13] | Edinburgh, Scotland | Murrayfield Stadium | Six Nations | 2017 | |
| [14] | Singapore | National Stadium | Summer Tour | 2017 |
Awards/Records
[edit]- Celtic League Dream Team 2009–10
- Celtic League Dream Team 2010–11
- Pro12 Dream Team 2011–12
- Celtic League Young Player of the Year 2009–10
- Pro12 Players' Player of the Year 2011–12
- Most tries scored by a player in one Celtic League/Pro12 season – 14
- Record Edinburgh try scorer with 59 tries (in all competitions Pro12, Heineken Cup, and Challenge Cup)
References
[edit]- ^ "Rugby World Cup". Archived from the original on 7 October 2015. Retrieved 6 October 2015.
- ^ "Interview: Tim Visser, rugby player with Edinburgh". Scotland on Sunday. 4 December 2011. Retrieved 2 May 2022.
- ^ "Saints loaned Newcastle duo". BBC Northamptonshire. 5 September 2007. Retrieved 10 July 2011.
- ^ "Newcastle's Visser in loan move". BBC Sport. 28 February 2007. Retrieved 10 July 2011.
- ^ Piperdy, Hash (7 May 2012). "News : RABODIRECT PRO12 AWARD WINNERS 2011/2012". RaboDirectPRO12. Archived from the original on 11 September 2012. Retrieved 13 March 2013.
- ^ "Tim Visser: Harlequins sign Scotland winger from Edinburgh". BBC Sport. 30 March 2015. Retrieved 2 May 2022.
- ^ Hannan, Martin (10 July 2011). "Scottish cap is in Tim Visser's sights". Scotland on Sunday. Archived from the original on 22 July 2012. Retrieved 10 July 2011.
- ^ a b "Scotland debut for Ryan Grant as David Pocock leads Wallabies". BBC Sport. BBC. 4 June 2012. Retrieved 16 June 2012.
- ^ "Five Uncapped Players Named in Scotland Summer Tour Squad". Scottish Rugby Union. 16 May 2012. Archived from the original on 20 May 2012. Retrieved 16 May 2012.
- ^ "Visser Makes Debut as Evans Returns" (Press release). Scottish Rugby Union. 12 June 2012. Retrieved 13 June 2012.
- ^ "Fiji 25–37 Scotland". BBC Sport. BBC. 16 June 2012. Retrieved 16 June 2012.
- ^ "Scotland's Tim Visser announces retirement from international rugby". The Scotsman. 3 May 2018. Retrieved 2 May 2022.
- ^ "CONFIRMED: Winger Tim Visser will not play for Scotland again". 3 May 2018.
External links
[edit]- Tim Visser on Twitter
- "Official website Tim Visser". Archived from the original on 4 May 2013. Retrieved 29 April 2013.
- "Newcastle profile". Archived from the original on 29 March 2009. Retrieved 14 January 2008.
- "Edinburgh profile". Archived from the original on 26 May 2012. Retrieved 1 July 2018.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - RaboDirect Pro12 Profile
- Heineken Cup Profile
- Tim Visser at ESPNscrum (archived)
Tim Visser
View on GrokipediaEarly life
Childhood and family background
Tim Visser was born on 29 May 1987 in Zeewolde, Netherlands.[3] He grew up in a rugby-oriented family in the Netherlands, where the sport was a central part of his early life.[6] Visser's father, Marc Visser, was a prominent figure in Dutch rugby, earning 67 caps for the Netherlands national team and captaining the side for 15 years.[7] This family legacy introduced Tim to the game at a young age; he began playing rugby through his father's influence and joined RC Hilversum, the club where Marc had also played.[6] Visser lived in the Netherlands until the age of 16, developing his skills in a domestic environment that nurtured his passion for the sport.[6] He has a younger brother, Sep Visser, who followed in the family tradition and became a professional rugby player, representing the Netherlands and playing for clubs including Newcastle Falcons.[8] The brothers' shared involvement in rugby underscored the sport's deep roots in the Visser household during Tim's childhood.[9]Discovery and move to England
As a teenager, he gained attention in the Dutch rugby scene through his performances in sevens rugby, particularly at the Amsterdam Sevens tournament, where he impressed scouts from England at around age 16.[3][10] This discovery led to an opportunity for Visser to relocate to England for further development, joining Barnard Castle School in County Durham to continue his education while focusing on rugby.[10][3] At the school, his standout form on the wing earned him selection for the England Schools Under-18 team in 2005, where he showcased his speed and finishing ability in international fixtures.[10][11] Following his school success, Visser transitioned to professional rugby by signing with the Newcastle Falcons Academy, marking the start of his club career in England.[1] He made his senior debut for the Falcons as a replacement against Worcester Warriors, scoring a match-winning try in just his first appearance, which highlighted his potential as a prolific try-scorer early in his professional journey.[11] This move from the Netherlands to England at a young age laid the foundation for his rapid rise in the sport, despite initial challenges adapting to a higher level of competition.[12]Club career
Newcastle Falcons
Tim Visser joined the Newcastle Falcons academy as a teenager after being scouted while playing sevens rugby in his native Netherlands.[3] He made his professional debut for the club on 8 September 2006 in a Premiership match against Worcester Warriors at Kingston Park, entering as a replacement for the injured Jonny Wilkinson and scoring a last-gasp try in the 80th minute to secure a 20–19 victory.[13] In April 2007, Visser signed a two-year contract with Newcastle, but the 2007–08 season began with a loan spell to Northampton Saints in the Championship, where he gained further experience in competitive matches.[10] He also spent time on loan at Darlington Mowden Park to build his development.[14] Upon returning to Newcastle for the 2008–09 campaign, Visser featured more regularly, contributing to the team's efforts in the Premiership and European competitions while honing his skills as a powerful, try-scoring winger.[3] Visser's time at Newcastle, spanning three seasons, marked the foundation of his professional career in England, showcasing his speed and finishing ability that would later define his reputation. At the end of the 2008–09 season, he opted to leave the Falcons to join Edinburgh Rugby, seeking greater opportunities in the Magners League.[15][16]Edinburgh Rugby
Tim Visser joined Edinburgh Rugby in the summer of 2009 from the Newcastle Falcons academy, making an immediate impact in his debut 2009/10 Magners League season by scoring four tries in his first six appearances.[10] He was named the Magners League Young Player of the Season for his performances that year, helping to establish himself as a key winger in the team's attacking lineup.[17] Over the next four seasons, Visser became the Pro12's leading try scorer each time, tallying 14 tries in 2009/10, 12 in 2010/11, 13 in 2011/12, and 11 in 2012/13.[18] His consistency earned him the RaboDirect Pro12 Players' Player of the Year award in 2012, along with selection to the Pro12 Dream Team that same year.[19] Visser contributed significantly to Edinburgh's 2011/12 Heineken Cup campaign, where the team reached the semi-finals after notable victories, including a quarter-final win over Toulouse.[20] In total, Visser made 130 appearances for Edinburgh between 2010 and 2015, scoring 69 tries and accumulating 345 points, which established him as the club's all-time leading try scorer.[21] His prolific finishing and physical presence on the wing were pivotal in several high-scoring games, such as a 2013 Pro12 match against Zebre where he scored one of six tries in a 41-10 victory.[22] Despite individual accolades, the team did not secure major silverware during his tenure. Visser's departure was announced in March 2015, as he sought a new challenge in the English Premiership, joining Harlequins at the end of the 2014/15 season after six years with Edinburgh.[18]Harlequins
Visser joined Harlequins in the summer of 2015 on a two-year contract, moving from Edinburgh Rugby to replace the retiring winger Ugo Monye.[23] The 27-year-old sought a new challenge in the English Premiership after establishing himself as a prolific scorer in the Pro12, where he had led the try-scoring charts for four consecutive seasons.[23] Harlequins director of rugby Conor O'Shea praised Visser's finishing ability, noting that players like him could make a decisive difference in tight games.[23] During his four seasons with the club, Visser made 66 appearances and scored 39 tries, contributing 195 points overall through his try-scoring prowess.[1][24] In the 2015-16 season, Visser contributed to Harlequins' run to the European Rugby Challenge Cup final, where they lost 19-26 to Montpellier. He quickly adapted to the demands of the Premiership, scoring eight tries in his debut 2015-16 campaign despite the team's struggles. In the 2016-17 season, Visser notched a brace of tries against Stade Français in the European Rugby Challenge Cup pool stage. His form continued into domestic matches, highlighted by a converted try in a 32-13 Premiership win over Wasps in April 2017.[21][25] Visser's tenure peaked in the 2017-18 season with another eight tries in the Premiership, including a match-winning score in a dramatic 20-19 comeback victory against Saracens in December 2017.[26] The following year, he led Harlequins in try-scoring with 11 in 20 appearances during the club's 150th anniversary season, helping them contend for the Premiership play-offs.[27] Primarily deployed on the left wing, Visser's physicality—standing at 1.93 meters and weighing 102 kilograms—allowed him to dominate in the air and break defensive lines, though injuries occasionally limited his starts.[21] In May 2019, at age 31, Visser announced his retirement from professional rugby at the end of the 2018-19 season, citing a desire to pursue new challenges with his young family outside the sport.[1][24] He reflected on his Harlequins spell as fulfilling, having contributed to a competitive squad that balanced Premiership and European ambitions, though the team did not secure major silverware during his time.[1] Post-retirement, Visser has worked in the property development sector in Edinburgh.[3] In March 2025, he appeared in Edinburgh Sheriff Court charged with an offence under Section 1 of the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act 2018; he made no plea, was released on bail, and the case was committed for further examination (as of November 2025).[28]Invitational teams
Tim Visser represented the Barbarians, a prestigious invitational side in rugby union, during his career. His sole appearance for the team came on 29 May 2011, coinciding with his 24th birthday, in a non-capped international match against an England XV at Twickenham Stadium.[29] Selected for the Barbarians squad alongside notable players such as Ruan Pienaar and Doug Howlett, Visser was chosen based on his prolific form as Edinburgh Rugby's leading try-scorer in the Magners League for two consecutive seasons prior.[30] The Barbarians, known for their invitational nature drawing top international talent, faced a youthful England side in this end-of-season fixture, which served as a showcase for emerging players on both sides.[31] In the match, Visser marked his debut with a standout performance, scoring two tries that contributed 10 points to the Barbarians' total. His first try came in the 49th minute, helping to ignite a second-half comeback after England had led 29-12 at halftime.[32] Visser's second try, in the 79th minute, proved decisive as he touched down for the match-winner, securing a dramatic 38-32 victory for the Barbarians in a thrilling finish.[33] This late surge overturned England's 17-point lead, highlighting the invitational team's reputation for entertaining, high-scoring rugby.[34] No further appearances for the Barbarians or other invitational teams, such as the World XV, are recorded in Visser's professional career.[29]International career
Eligibility and debut
Born in Zeewolde, Netherlands, Tim Visser became eligible to represent Scotland through the World Rugby residency qualification pathway, which requires three years of continuous residence in the territory of the union without playing for another national team.[35] He began his professional career in the UK with Newcastle Falcons in 2007 before transferring to Edinburgh Rugby in the summer of 2009, starting the residency clock for Scotland on that date.[36] By June 12, 2012, Visser had fulfilled the three-year requirement and expressed his long-standing desire to play international rugby for Scotland, having publicly stated his intentions as early as 2011.[37][38] Visser's eligibility aligned with a period of debate in Scottish rugby regarding the use of residency-qualified players, often termed "project players," to bolster the national squad.[39] He was included in Scotland's 2012 mid-year tour squad to the South Seas on May 16, 2012, just weeks before his qualification date.[37] This selection highlighted his rapid rise, having scored prolifically for Edinburgh with 43 tries in 74 appearances since joining the club.[40] Visser made his Scotland debut on June 16, 2012, starting on the left wing against Fiji in Lautoka, replacing the injured Joe Ansbro.[41] In a 37-25 victory played in sweltering conditions, he marked the occasion with a brace of tries—his first coming in the 13th minute after a break by Matt Scott, and the second in the 55th minute to extend Scotland's lead.[42][43] This performance earned praise for his finishing ability and established him as a key attacking threat for the national team from the outset.[44]Scotland national team
Tim Visser earned 33 caps for the Scotland national rugby union team between 2012 and 2017, scoring 14 tries during that period.[45] His international career began with a standout debut on 16 June 2012 against Fiji in Lautoka, where he crossed for two tries in a 37-25 victory, marking an immediate impact as a powerful winger.[2] Visser repeated the feat in his third appearance on 17 November 2012, scoring a brace against New Zealand at Murrayfield in a 51-22 defeat, briefly giving Scotland a 14-3 lead early in the match.[46] These early performances highlighted his finishing ability and physical presence on the wing. Visser's first game on Scottish soil came during the 2013 Six Nations against Italy at Murrayfield, where he scored a try in a 34-10 win, contributing to Scotland's strong start in the tournament.[10] He featured prominently in subsequent Six Nations campaigns, accumulating tries against key opponents, including one against France in Paris during the 2013 edition and another in the 2016 match at Murrayfield, a 29-18 victory that boosted Scotland's campaign.[2] Overall in the Six Nations, Visser played 11 matches and scored three tries, often starting as a left wing and providing crucial go-forward ball.[10] Beyond the championship, Visser represented Scotland in the 2015 Rugby World Cup, starting in both pool matches and scoring a vital try against the United States in a 39-16 win at Leeds, which helped secure progression to the knockout stages despite a subsequent loss to South Africa.[2] His summer tours yielded further highlights, such as a try against the USA in a 24-6 victory during the 2014 Americas tour and one try in a 34-13 win over Italy in Singapore on June 10, 2017.[2] Across his international tenure, Scotland recorded 16 wins, two draws, and 15 losses in Visser's appearances, underscoring his role as a primary attacking threat.[45]International retirement
Tim Visser announced his retirement from international rugby on 3 May 2018, at the age of 30.[47] By the end of his international career, he had accumulated 33 caps for Scotland since his debut in 2012, scoring 14 tries.[48] His final appearance came in Scotland's 27-22 defeat to Fiji during the 2017 summer tour.[49] Visser explained that the decision stemmed from the demanding nature of international rugby, including extended periods away from his young family, as well as a wish to concentrate on his club commitments with Harlequins and to create opportunities for Scotland's rising players.[48] In his announcement, he reflected, "Playing for Scotland has been the biggest honour of my life... I feel now is the time to say goodbye to international rugby and concentrate on my club career."[47] Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend praised Visser's contributions, stating, "Tim made an excellent impact on Scotland and did very well at an international level for his adopted country."[48] Visser's retirement allowed him to extend his professional playing career at the club level until 2019, while leaving a legacy as one of Scotland's most prolific wingers in the post-professional era.[49]Try-scoring records and statistics
Club-level achievements
Tim Visser's club career was marked by prolific try-scoring, particularly during his time with Edinburgh Rugby, where he established himself as one of the top finishers in European professional rugby. Across his professional tenure, he amassed over 110 tries in competitive matches, with his peak productivity coming in the PRO12 (now United Rugby Championship), where he led the league in tries for four consecutive seasons from 2009/10 to 2012/13.[3][24] At Newcastle Falcons from 2006 to 2009, Visser scored 13 tries in 57 appearances across the Premiership and European competitions, showcasing early promise as a finisher despite the team's struggles in the English top flight. His breakout came after moving to Edinburgh Rugby in 2009, where he became the club's all-time leading try scorer with 69 tries in 130 appearances between 2009 and 2015. In league play alone, he notched 57 tries in 95 PRO12 matches, including a standout 14-try season in 2010/11. In 2011/12, he repeated as top scorer with 13 tries, earning selection to the PRO12 Dream Team and the league's Players' Player of the Year award.[24][3][19][8][50] Visser's scoring extended to European tournaments with Edinburgh, where he contributed 12 tries in 29 Heineken Cup and Challenge Cup games, including four during their 2012 semi-final run. He helped the team reach the 2015 Challenge Cup final, though they fell short as runners-up to Gloucester. Transitioning to Harlequins in 2015, he added 30 tries in 65 appearances over four seasons in the English Premiership. His debut season haul of nine tries in 11 Premiership starts highlighted his continued impact. At Harlequins, he featured in the 2016 Challenge Cup final, again as runners-up to Montpellier, and maintained a strong strike rate in the English Premiership, scoring eight tries in the 2017/18 campaign alone.[50][51][52][21]| Club | Appearances | Total Tries | Notable Achievements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newcastle Falcons | 57 | 13 | Emerging talent in Premiership (2006–2009) |
| Edinburgh Rugby | 130 | 69 | PRO12 top try scorer (4x); Club record holder; 57 league tries |
| Harlequins | 65 | 30 | 9 tries in debut Premiership season; Challenge Cup finalist (2016) |
