Damien Hoyland Bio
Damien Hoyland is a Scottish rugby union player born on 11 January 1994 in Edinburgh, Scotland. Standing 1.78 m tall and weighing 85 kg, he plays primarily as a wing and full-back. He is currently signed to Old Glory DC in Major League Rugby, having joined the American club after a long tenure with Edinburgh Rugby in the United Rugby Championship.
Across his career, Hoyland has represented Scotland at several age-grade levels, played sevens rugby on the World Rugby circuit, and earned senior international caps. He is also recognized for being named in the Wellington Sevens World Rugby dream team in 2015, when he finished as the top try scorer of the tournament with seven tries.
Early Life and Background
Damien Hoyland grew up in Edinburgh, where he attended James Gillespie’s High School before continuing his studies at Telford College. The Scottish capital, with its strong grassroots rugby scene, provided an early environment for Hoyland to develop his athletic skills. His education at James Gillespie’s is often cited as a formative period in his rugby development, as the school is known for producing competitive age-grade teams in the region.
During his school years, Hoyland played for Edinburgh at the under-16, under-17, and under-18 levels, gaining experience in representative rugby at a young age. He also represented Scotland at the under-17 level, demonstrating his early standing within the country’s youth rugby structure. These early experiences allowed him to transition smoothly into higher levels of the sport and laid the groundwork for his later professional career.
Path to Rugby
Hoyland’s path to professional rugby was shaped by a strong showing in age-grade competitions and sevens tournaments. In 2011, he was part of the Scotland under-17 Sevens squad that competed at the Youth Commonwealth Games held on the Isle of Man. The experience of representing his country at an international multi-sport event gave him early exposure to high-level competition.
He continued his progression by playing for Scotland at the under-20 level between 2013 and 2014, a critical development stage for aspiring professionals. Following that, Hoyland joined the Scotland 7s program from 2014 to 2016, where he refined his speed, evasion, and finishing skills. His standout performance at the Wellington Sevens in 2015, where he was named in the World Rugby dream team, marked him as a rising talent in the Scottish rugby system.
Damien Hoyland Career
Early Career (2014–2015)
Damien Hoyland began his senior professional career with Edinburgh Rugby in 2014, joining one of Scotland’s two professional clubs in the Pro12 league. As a young winger, he featured in various domestic and European competitions, gradually establishing himself within the squad. His time at Edinburgh allowed him to train alongside experienced international players and develop the physical and tactical demands of professional rugby.
Alongside his club duties, Hoyland represented Scotland 7s, balancing the fast-paced format of the shorter game with the structured demands of fifteen-a-side rugby. This combination of experience helped him grow as a versatile back-line player capable of playing on the wing or at full-back.
Edinburgh Rugby Breakthrough (2015–2023)
After making his senior international debut for Scotland in the summer of 2015, Hoyland returned to Edinburgh with renewed confidence and continued to grow into a regular contributor. Over the course of nearly a decade with the club, he became a familiar face in Edinburgh’s back line, known for his work rate, aerial ability, and finishing around the try line.
He earned four senior caps for Scotland between 2015 and 2022, scoring his first test try during a summer victory over Italy in 2017. That try was a significant milestone, marking his transition from promising squad member to a player capable of producing match-winning contributions at international level. He also represented Scotland ‘A’ in 2022, further highlighting his standing within the broader Scottish rugby setup.
Old Glory DC Era (2023–Present)
In 2023, Damien Hoyland made the move across the Atlantic to join Old Glory DC in Major League Rugby, ending a long association with Edinburgh Rugby. The transfer represented a new chapter in his career, offering him the chance to experience a different style of rugby in the growing North American competition.
Since joining Old Glory DC, Hoyland has continued to feature as a wing and full-back, bringing his European experience to the MLR environment. His presence has added international pedigree to the Old Glory back line as the club competes in the league’s regular season and playoff structure.
Playing Style and Strengths
Hoyland is known for his pace, aerial ability, and versatility across the back three. Comfortable on the wing or at full-back, he combines a strong work ethic defensively with a sharp eye for the try line in attack. His sevens background has made him particularly effective in open-field play, where his acceleration and footwork allow him to beat defenders in one-on-one situations.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the standout moments of Hoyland’s career came at the 2015 Wellington Sevens, where he scored seven tries and was named in the World Rugby dream team. He also became a senior Scotland international that summer, and his first international try against Italy in 2017 remains a defining moment of his time in the national jersey.
Damien Hoyland Career Wins
Across his professional career, Damien Hoyland has built a reputation as a consistent try-scorer in both sevens and fifteen-a-side rugby. His most celebrated achievements include a dream team selection at the Wellington Sevens in 2015, where he finished as the top try scorer with seven tries across the tournament.
Edinburgh Rugby and MLR Highlights
During his long spell with Edinburgh Rugby between 2014 and 2023, Hoyland contributed regularly in the Pro12 and later the United Rugby Championship, featuring in domestic and European fixtures. Since moving to Old Glory DC in 2023, he has continued to feature as a key back-line player in Major League Rugby, bringing experience and try-scoring threat to the American side.
International Performances
Hoyland earned four senior caps for Scotland between 2015 and 2022, including scoring his first test try during a 2017 summer victory over Italy. He also represented Scotland ‘A’ in 2022, reflecting his continued standing within the broader Scottish rugby pathway.
Damien Hoyland Family
Personal Life
Damien Hoyland was raised in Edinburgh, Scotland, where he attended James Gillespie’s High School and later Telford College. Public details about his immediate family and personal relationships are limited, and he is known primarily for his professional rugby career rather than his off-field life.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into 2025, Damien Hoyland is expected to continue his role with Old Glory DC in Major League Rugby, building on his first full seasons with the club following his 2023 move from Edinburgh Rugby. The 2025 campaign offers him the chance to cement his place in the Old Glory back line and contribute to the team’s push for a playoff spot in the MLR standings.
His combination of European professional experience, sevens speed, and international pedigree makes him a valuable asset for Old Glory DC as the league continues to grow in competitiveness. With Old Glory DC looking to climb the Eastern Conference table, Hoyland’s finishing ability and versatility across the back three will remain central to their attacking plans.