Ryan Couchman

Ryan Couchman
Personal information
Full nameRyan Couchman
Born (2003-09-16) 16 September 2003 (age 21)
Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
Playing information
PositionLock, Second-row
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2023– St. George Illawarra 11 0 0 0 0
Source: [1]
EducationBulli High School
RelativesToby Couchman (twin brother)

Ryan Couchman (born 16 September 2003) is an Australian professional Rugby league footballer who plays as a lock for the St. George Illawarra Dragons in the NRL.

Background

Couchman was born in Wollongong, New South Wales. He has 3 siblings: Toby Couchman, Fletcher Couchman and Harvy Couchman.[2] He was educated at Bulli High School and played Junior Rugby League for Thirroul Butchers.[3]

Playing career

Early career

Ryan played Second Row for NSW CHS at the 2021 ASSRL carnival & his strong performances were rewarded with selection in the Australian Schoolboys Merit Team.[citation needed]

On 12 March 2023, Couchman made his NSW Cup debut against the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs. He has scored 4 tries for the NSW Cup team out of 20 appearances. He played in the second-row.[4]

On 13 March 2023, him and his twin brother Toby both extended their contracts with the Dragons until the end of the 2025 NRL Season.[5]

NRL career

In round 18 of the 2023 NRL season, Couchman was named as the replacement player for the Dragons in their local derby match with the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks. He was also named as the replacement player in rounds 19 and 22. In round 23, he made his first grade debut, playing for 37 minutes on the interchange in St. George Illawarra's 26−20 loss to the Parramatta Eels at Western Sydney Stadium.[6] Couchman played six matches for St. George Illawarra in the 2024 NRL season as the club finished 11th on the table.[7] On 13 November the Dragons announced that Couchman had re-signed with the club on a three year deal.[8]

References

  1. ^ "Ryan Couchman". 13 March 2023.
  2. ^ "Brotherly love fuels Toby Couchman's Dragons debut". Illawarra Mercury. Wollongong, New South Wales: Fairfax Digital. 11 March 2023. p. 88.
  3. ^ "NRL 2023: NRL debut, Toby Couchman, family, Ryan Couchman, twin, St George Illawarra Dragons, inside the debut of an NRL rookie | Dragons". St George Illawarra Dragons. 13 March 2023. Retrieved 12 September 2023.
  4. ^ "Ryan Couchman". St George Illawarra Dragons. 13 March 2023. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  5. ^ "Dragons extend Couchman twins through to 2025". St George Illawarra Dragons. 13 March 2023. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  6. ^ "Ryan Couchman". St George Illawarra Dragons. 13 March 2023. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  7. ^ "The Mole's end-of-season review: 'Bullies' exposed as big-money Dragons forward called out". www.nine.com.au.
  8. ^ Writer, Staff (13 November 2024). "Staying Home: Couchman twins ink Red V extension". St George Illawarra Dragons. Retrieved 15 November 2024.