Willie Anderson (born 3 April 1955) is a

rugby union Rugby union football, commonly known simply as rugby union in English-speaking countries and rugby 15/XV in non-English-speaking world, Anglophone Europe, or often just rugby, is a Contact sport#Terminology, close-contact team sport that orig ...

coach and former

Ireland Ireland (, ; ; Ulster Scots dialect, Ulster-Scots: ) is an island in the North Atlantic Ocean, in Northwestern Europe. Geopolitically, the island is divided between the Republic of Ireland (officially Names of the Irish state, named Irelan ...

international player. A

lock Lock(s) or Locked may refer to: Common meanings *Lock and key, a mechanical device used to secure items of importance *Lock (water navigation), a device for boats to transit between different levels of water, as in a canal Arts and entertainme ...

, Anderson was capped 27 times for the national side between 1984 and 1990, some of which as captain.

Playing career

While on a 1980 tour in Buenos Aires, Anderson was imprisoned for three months by the Argentinian authorities after attempting to smuggle a

flag A flag is a piece of textile, fabric (most often rectangular) with distinctive colours and design. It is used as a symbol, a signalling device, or for decoration. The term ''flag'' is also used to refer to the graphic design employed, and fla ...

from a government building. He was later cleared of "demeaning a patriotic symbol". In one appearance as captain against

New Zealand New Zealand () is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main landmasses—the North Island () and the South Island ()—and List of islands of New Zealand, over 600 smaller islands. It is the List of isla ...

, Anderson led his side into a confrontation with their opponents while they were performing the

haka Haka (, ; singular ''haka'', in both Māori language, Māori and New Zealand English) are a variety of ceremonial dances in Māori culture. A performance art, hakas are often performed by a group, with vigorous movements and stamping of the f ...

. Anderson along with his French opponent Jean Condom, unwittingly became the subject of an amusing banner spotted by TV cameras in the crowd during a 5 Nations rugby match at Lansdowne Road in Ireland's championship campaign of 1985. The banner read 'Our Willie's bigger than your Condom!'. Anderson attended Omagh Academy. He is the father of fashion designer Jonathan Anderson (

JW Anderson JW Anderson is a UK fashion label, founded by Jonathan Anderson. Anderson, who is originally from Magherafelt in Northern Ireland established JW Anderson in 2008 and subsequently launched his fashion house in London. The brand initially focused ...

) who designed the

Super Bowl The Super Bowl is the annual History of the NFL championship, league championship game of the National Football League (NFL) of the United States. It has served as the final game of every NFL season since 1966 NFL season, 1966 (with the excep ...

performance outfit worn by the singer

Rihanna Robyn Rihanna Fenty ( ; born February 20, 1988) is a Barbadian singer, businesswoman, and actress. One of the List of music artists by net worth, wealthiest musicians in the world, List of awards and nominations received by Rihanna, her vario ...

in February 2023.

Coaching

After retiring he became assistant coach of

Leinster Leinster ( ; or ) is one of the four provinces of Ireland, in the southeast of Ireland. The modern province comprises the ancient Kingdoms of Meath, Leinster and Osraige, which existed during Gaelic Ireland. Following the 12th-century ...

and later the Scotland national team, both under head coach Matt Williams. After a spell as a full-time

physical education Physical education is an academic subject taught in schools worldwide, encompassing Primary education, primary, Secondary education, secondary, and sometimes tertiary education. It is often referred to as Phys. Ed. or PE, and in the United Stat ...

teacher and rugby coach at

Grosvenor Grammar School Grosvenor Grammar School (formerly Grosvenor High School) is an 11–18 co-educational, grammar school and sixth form in Belfast, Northern Ireland. History Grosvenor Grammar School was founded in 1945 as Grosvenor High School, by the Belfast ...

and later at Sullivan Upper School, Anderson was appointed head coach of Rainey Old Boys in July 2007. Anderson coaches Coolmine R.F.C.'s senior first XV. They play in Division 1 of the Leinster League. On 22 March 2011, Anderson led Sullivan Upper School to their second Medallion Shield Victory defeating Limavady Grammar School 17–0.

References

External links

Profile and national team statistics at official IRFU website
1955 births Living people Alumni of Stranmillis University College Dungannon RFC players Ireland international rugby union players Ireland national rugby union team captains Irish rugby union coaches Irish rugby union players Leinster Rugby non-playing staff People educated at Omagh Academy Rugby union players from County Tyrone Ulster Rugby players Ulster Scots people Rugby union locks 1987 Rugby World Cup players {{Ireland-rugbyunion-bio-stub