Donald William Burland (22 January 1908 â 26 January 1976) was an English international rugby union player.
Burland was born in Bristol and educated at Kingsholme School in Weston-super-Mare. He played soccer during his early years, until taking up rugby union when he moved to the Bristol suburb of Horfield at age 14 and joined a local church side. Three years later was invited to play for Bristol "A".
A centre three-quarter, Burland played in the firsts for Bristol from 1926 to 1934. He was a member of the Gloucestershire side which won three consecutive County Championships during the early 1930s and won eight England caps, debuting in the 1931 Five Nations. His England career included a match against Ireland at Lansdowne Road, where he scored all of England's points in a 11âÂÂ8 win, with a converted try and two penalties. After two seasons as captain of Bristol, Burland dislocated a shoulder playing against Aldershot Services in 1934, an injury which prematurely ended his career at 26. He scored 118 tries from his 194 appearances for Bristol.
Burland's half-brother, the son of Bristol City goalkeeper Harry Clay, died in the sinking of the HMS Courageous.