Leon Pryce

Infobox rugby league biography
playername = Leon Pryce
fullname = Leon Pryce
nickname = Fresh Prince, Wallace, Big Ears

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image_size = 300px
caption =
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1981|10|9
placeofbirth = Bradford, Yorkshire
countryofbirth = England
height = height|ft=6|in=3
weight = 15 st 6 lbs (98 kg)
position = Stand-off / Wing / Centre / Full-back
currentclub = leagueicon|St Helens|size=16 St Helens
clubnumber = 6
club1 = Leagueicon|Bradford Bulls|size=16 Bradford Bulls
year1start = 1998
year1end = 2006
appearances1 = 190
tries1 =
goals1 =
fieldgoals1 =
points1 = 340
club2 = leagueicon|St Helens|size=16 St Helens
year2start = 2006
year2end = present
appearances2 = 68
tries2 =
goals2 =
fieldgoals2 =
points2 = 120
teamA = Flagicon|England England
yearAstart = 1999
yearAend =
appearancesA = 5
triesA =
goalsA =
fieldgoalsA =
pointsA = 12
teamB = Flagicon|Great Britain Great Britain
yearBstart = 2001
yearBend =
appearancesB = 17
triesB =
goalsB =
fieldgoalsB =
pointsB = 17
updated =
source =
new = yes

Leon Pryce (born 9 October 1981 in Bradford) is a rugby league player who plays for St. Helens RFC and Great Britain. His nickname is the 'Fresh Prince'.fact|date=March 2008 He comes from a family of rugby league players; he is the older brother of Wigan Warriors player Karl Pryce, his father and uncle both played the sport at a high level, and he is the cousin of Featherstone Rovers player Waine Pryce.

Bradford Bulls

At age 16, Pryce captained the England schools side. Pryce came through the academy ranks at the Bradford Bulls, after the club signed him from amateur side Queensbury in Bradford. He went on to feature in the Super League Grand Final, playing an influential role off the bench.when He scored a try in the 2005 Super League Grand Final and won the Man of the Match award.

Pryce's versatile brand of football has enabled him to be used as a utility at Bradford when not needed at his usual post, on the wing. His quick pace and unpredictability made him a success at Bradford.or|date=March 2008

England

He made his full debut for England against France in 1999, and has also represented his home county of Yorkshire.

He has been named in the England squad for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup.cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/7656553.stm|title=Purdham earns World Cup call-up|publisher=BBC|date=2008-10-07|accessdate=2008-10-07]

t Helens

In 2006, Pryce joined St. Helens RFC, after Bradford Bulls did not renew his contract in 2005. One of the key issues in the decision was that he would start at stand off, a position Pryce has long coveted.fact|date=March 2008

Pryce won his first trophy with St Helens in August 2006, defeating Huddersfield Giants in the Challenge Cup Final at Twickenham Stadium.

He went on to win the Challenge Cup again in 2007 when Saints beat Catalan Dragons 30-8 at Wembley Stadium. He was a joint winner of the Lance Todd Trophy along with Paul Wellens.

In 2007, Pryce was voted rugby league's dirtiest player by "RL Weekly" readers.fact|date=March 2008

He has been named in the Super League Dream Team for the 2008 season.cite web|url=http://www.superleague.co.uk/article.php?id=11755|title=2008 engage Super League Dream Team|publisher=Super League|date=2008-09-15|accessdate=2008-09-26]

He played in the 2008 Super League Grand Final defeat to the Leeds Rhinos.cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/7642170.stm|title=2008 Grand Final|publisher=BBC|date=2008-10-04|accessdate=2008-10-05]

Controversies

"Squeezing" controversy

In July 2007, Pryce was accused of squeezing Sam Burgess's testicles. [ "Pryce accuse of squeezing tactics" pS12 "Daily Telegraph" No.47,324 31/7/07 ] He was later found guilty of the incident and banned for three matches. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/6924994.stm BBC SPORT | Rugby League | My Club | St Helens | Pryce hit by three-match penalty ] ] He was again found guilty of a similar misconduct, against Bradford forward Andy Lynch on 22 February 2008. However, he escaped a possible eight-match ban as the disciplinary panel ruled the contact "minimal". [ [http://sport.guardian.co.uk/rugbyleague/story/0,,2259982,00.html Repeat offender Pryce relieved not to bag a lengthy ban | Rugby league | guardian.co.uk Sport ] ]

2008

In 2008 Leon was charged with Stuart Reardon appeared in court on charges of assault and violence. following an alleged incident at a house in Queensbury, Bradford. They have been charged with using violence to gain entry and assault.

References

External links

* [http://www.saintsrlfc.com/player/6 St Helens profile]
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport/hi/english/static/in_depth/rugby_league/2001/ashes/gb/pryce.stm 2001 Ashes profile]