Nathan Connell
Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Full name | Nathan Connell | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | 5 January 2003 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Playing information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Fullback | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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As of 23 September 2026 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Nathan Connell (born 5 January 2003) is a professional rugby league footballer who plays as a fullback for the Bradford Bulls in the Super League[1]
Career
[edit]Junior
[edit]Connell began playing rugby at the age of 6 at Shevington Sharks, joining Salford Foundation’s Rising Stars programme and the Eccles College Development Academy, where his performances began to attract attention. He was named Development Academy Player of the Year in 2022.[2][3]
Whitehaven
[edit]He was loaned to Whitehaven, where he made his senior rugby league debut, on the 29 March 2024, he started at fullback in the Cumbrian derby against Barrow Raiders, Whitehaven won 23-22 with Connell crossing the whitewash scoring a try.
Salford Red Devils
[edit]His senior debut for Salford came in the 13th round of the 2024 Super League, coming off the bench in a 34-4 win over the London Broncos.[4][5]
Widnes Vikings
[edit]Ahead of the 2026 season, Connell joined Cheshire side Widnes Vikings on a one-year contract.[6][7] Across the 2026 he scored 21 tries in 29 appearances, being named the clubs player of the month twice in March and July.[8] He won Player's Player of the Year and Fan's Player of the Year.
Bradford Bulls
[edit]He signed for Super League side Bradford Bulls on a two-year contract securing him until the end of 2028.[9][10]
Ireland under-19
[edit]He featured in all four of Ireland under-19's games in the 2022 European Championship Shield, scoring 7 tries and 18 goals. Ireland winning the competition, winning all four of their games.[11][12][13][14][15]
References
[edit]- ↑ Dollin, Shawn. "Nathan Connell - Playing Career". Rugby League Project. Retrieved 2026-09-17.
- ↑ Bulls, Bradford (4 September 2026). "Nathan Connell the story so far". Bradford Bulls.
- ↑ "23. Nathan Connell". Widnes Vikings. Retrieved 2026-09-17.
- ↑ Darbyshire, Drew (2024-07-11). "NextGen: The Salford Red Devils prospect with the unconventional route to Super League". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 2026-09-17.
- ↑ Dollin, Shawn. "2024 Betfred Super League - Round 13 - Salford Red Devils 34 def. London Broncos 4". Rugby League Project. Retrieved 2026-09-17.
- ↑ Ibbetson, Stephen. "Widnes Vikings add Nathan Connell from Salford Red Devils – Total Rugby League". Retrieved 2026-09-17.
- ↑ Team, Media (2025-10-31). "VIKINGS SIGN NATHAN CONNELL". Widnes Vikings. Retrieved 2026-09-17.
- ↑ Team, Media (2026-08-01). "Nathan Connell named July Player of the Month". Widnes Vikings. Retrieved 2026-09-17.
- ↑ Team, Media (2026-09-04). "Nathan Connell joins Bradford Bulls for 2027 season". Widnes Vikings. Retrieved 2026-09-17.
- ↑ "Bulls snap up former Salford flyer after standout season in Championship". Bradford Telegraph and Argus. 2026-09-04. Retrieved 2026-09-17.
- ↑ "U-19 European Championship (Men) 2022 Shield 2022". europeanrugbyleague.com. Retrieved 2026-09-17.
- ↑ "Ireland 42 v 0 Serbia". europeanrugbyleague.com. Retrieved 2026-09-17.
- ↑ "Italy 0 v 30 Ireland". europeanrugbyleague.com. Retrieved 2026-09-17.
- ↑ "Serbia 6 v 22 Ireland". europeanrugbyleague.com. Retrieved 2026-09-17.
- ↑ "Ireland 30 v 0 Italy". europeanrugbyleague.com. Retrieved 2026-09-17.