Born in Alexandra,[3] he played for Otago Sharks, setting a club scoring record of 260 points in 1997,[4] and represented North Otago in the National Provincial Championship.

Returning to Northern Ireland, he played and coached at Ballynahinch RFC and Banbridge RFC while working as a schoolteacher at Wallace High School, Lisburn,[3] Sullivan Upper School,[5] Ballyclare High School, and Royal Belfast Academical Institution.

[5] He became head coach of Banbridge in 2010, and led them to two promotions in the All Ireland League.

[6] In schools rugby, he coached future Irish international Darren Cave at Sullivan Upper,[6] and led the RBAI rugby team, featuring future internationals James Hume and Michael Lowry, to three consecutive Ulster Schools' Cup titles between 2015 and 2017.

[7] When McFarland left midway through the 2023–24 season, Soper took charge temporarily until the end of the Six Nations Under 20s Championship, after which Ireland under-20 coach Richie Murphy would take over until the end of the season.