The young man who runs onto the rugby field today bears little resemblance to the shy, awkward teenager who first approached the University of Queensland Rugby Club several years ago with an unusual request.

Connor Whelan, 22, appears happy and confident as he shakes hands with the opposing team, Souths.

Head coach Paul Farmer still remembers well the nervous autistic boy who first came to see him with his father, asking for something largely missing from his life, inclusion.

"He brought with him a need to be part of a team, part of a family, part of a culture and that's something this club I don't think had experienced," Mr Farmer said.

The club had never tried to integrate someone with a disability, but decided to give it a try.

"Four years on we can't get rid of him, he's at everything!" Mr Farmer said