Ryan Caldwell

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Ryan Caldwell (born 1 September 1984) is an Irish former rugby union player who played lock for Ulster, Bath and Exeter Chiefs, and won two caps for Ireland. Attended Royal Belfast Academical Institution, captaining them to an Ulster Schools' Cup win in 2003. He represented Ireland at two under-21 World Cups, and signed a development contract with Ulster on leaving school. he joined the Ulster senior squad from Dungannon RFC in 2005. he made 79 appearances over five seasons for Ulster. Won two caps for Ireland. At an Ireland training camp in 2007, he tackled Paul O'Connell in a session that was supposed to be no-contact. O'Connell responded by punching him, and Caldwell was knocked unconscious, requiring CPR and hospital treatment. He moved to Bath in 2011, and Exeter Chiefs in 2014. He retired on medical advice after a series of concussions. He had suffered from degenerative hips from the age of 22, and had two hip replacements after retiring. The pain of his injuries and his lack of preparation for life after rugby took their toll on his mental health. He returned to Northern Ireland, turned to alcohol, and began using and selling drugs. He was remanded to Maghaberry Prison twice, and attempted suicide. He went on to become a certified Kambo practitioner, and set up a business, Inner Evolution, teaching meditation and breath work. Caldwell's memoir "White Lines - A Rugby Life Broken and Rebuilt" was published in 2026.