Chris Budgen

Lance Corporal Chris Budgen is a Rugby Union player and current serving soldier in the British Army. He played for Bridgend RFC from 1999-2001 then played the majority of his professional career for Exeter Chiefs and Northampton Saints in the Aviva Premiership.

Chris Budgen

Birth name	Lance Corporal Chris Budgen
Date of birth	(1973-01-21) 21 January 1973
Place of birth	Hamilton, New Zealand
Height	1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Weight	130 kg (20 st 7 lb)[1]
Rugby union career
Position(s) Prop Current team Exeter Chiefs Senior career Years Team Apps (Points) 1999-2001 2001–08 2008–13 Bridgend RFC Northampton Exeter Chiefs [Bedwas rfc] 134 34 (30) (35) Correct as of ion National team(s) Years Team Apps (Points)   British Army 39 39

He made his debut for Exeter on 30 September 2008 against Esher. His position of choice is Prop. Budgen's try against Worcester for Exeter on 3 Nov 2012 made Budgen the oldest try scorer in the Aviva Premiership at 39 years and 287 days.,[2] Budgen dedicated this score to his twin sons who died prematurely two weeks before the game.[3]

Budgen remains a very popular and respected figure among fans of both Exeter and Northampton, with Exeter fans nicknaming him "Budgie" and Saints fans nicknaming him "Chicken". Budgen juggled most of his professional career with that of an active soldier; Budgen is stationed on Salisbury Plain and has also seen action in Helmand Province.

It was announced on 24 May 2013 that Budgen would be going into coaching with the Marlborough RFC colts team.[4]

References

1. "Aviva Premiership Rugby – Exeter Chiefs". web page. Premier Rugby. Archived from the original on 6 February 2012. Retrieved 25 August 2011.
2. "Oldest Try Scorer". ESPN Scrum. Retrieved 27 May 2013.
3. James, Steve. "Exeter's Chris Budgen dedicates try to sons after tragic loss of premature twins". Telegraph. Retrieved 4 November 2012.
4. "Budgen adding to club's push". Thisiswiltshire.co.uk. Retrieved 24 May 2013.

External links

• Premiership Player Profile