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{{short description|England international rugby union player}}
{{short description|England international rugby union player}}
{{Infobox Rugby biography
{{Infobox rugby biography
| name = Nick Isiekwe
| name = Nick Isiekwe
| image =
| image =
| image_size =
| caption =
| caption =
| birth_name = Nicholas Akamonye Isiekwe
| fullname = Nicholas Akamonye Isiekwe
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1998|4|20|df=y}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1998|04|20|df=y}}
| birth_place = {{nowrap|[[Hemel Hempstead]], [[Hertfordshire]], [[England]]}}
| birth_place = [[Hemel Hempstead]], England
⚫
| height = {{convert|2.01|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| weight = {{convert|120|kg|lb stlb|abbr=on}}
| height = {{convert|2.01|m|ftin|0|abbr=on}}
⚫
| weight = {{convert|120|kg|lb stlb|0|abbr=on}}
| nickname =
| school = {{nowrap|[[Nicholas Breakspear School]]<br />[[Haileybury and Imperial Service College]]}}
| school = [[Nicholas Breakspear School]]<br />[[Haileybury and Imperial Service College]]
| university =
| university =
| relatives =
| relatives =
| ru_position = [[Rugby union positions#Locks|Lock]], [[Flanker (rugby union)|Flanker]]
| position = [[Lock (rugby union)|Lock]], [[Flanker (rugby union)|Flanker]]
⚫
| currentclub = [[Saracens F.C.|Saracens]]
| ru_amateuryears = 2011–2016
| years1 = 2016–
| ru_amateurclubs = [[Old Albanian RFC]]
| clubs1 = [[Saracens F.C.|Saracens]]
| ru_amupdate = 22 May 2017
| apps1 = 133
⚫
| ru_proclubs = [[Saracens F.C.|Saracens]]<br>→ [[Northampton Saints]]
| points1 = 20
| ru_clubcaps = 99<br>22
| years2 = 2019–2021
| ru_clubpoints = (15)<br>(15)
| clubs2 = → [[Northampton Saints]] (loan)
| ru_clubyears = 2016–<br>2020–2021
| apps2 = 22
| ru_clubupdate = 19 February 2022
| ru_provinceyears =
| points2 = 15
| repyears1 = 2015–2016
| ru_province =
| repteam1 = [[England national under-18 rugby union team|England U18]]
| ru_provincecaps =
| ru_provincepoints =
| repcaps1 = 9
| ru_provinceupdate =
| reppoints1 = 0
| repyears2 = 2017
| ru_nationalteam = England U16<br />England U17<br />[[England national under-18 rugby union team|England U18]]<br />[[England national under-20 rugby union team|England U20]]<br />[[England national rugby union team|England]]
| repteam2 = [[England national under-20 rugby union team|England U20]]
| ru_nationalyears = 2014<br />2015<br />2015–2016<br />2017<br />2017–
| repcaps2 = 4
| ru_nationalcaps = 3<br />1<br />9<br />4<br />6
| reppoints2 = 0
| ru_nationalpoints = (0)<br />(0)<br />(0)<br />(0)<br />(0)
| repyears3 = 2017–
| ru_ntupdate = 27 February 2022
| repteam3 = [[England national rugby union team|England]]
| repcaps3 = 11
| reppoints3 = 0
| clubupdate = 19 January 2024
| repupdate = 19 January 2024
}}
}}


'''Nick Isiekwe''' (born 20 April 1998) is an [[England|English]] professional [[rugby union]] player who plays as a [[Rugby union positions#Locks|lock]] or [[Flanker (rugby union)|flanker]] for [[Premiership Rugby]] side [[Saracens F.C.|Saracens]].
'''Nicholas Akamonye Isiekwe''' (born 20 April 1998) is an English professional [[rugby union]] player who plays as a [[Lock (rugby union)|lock]] for [[Premiership Rugby]] club [[Saracens F.C.|Saracens]] and the [[England national rugby union team|England national team]].


==Early life==
== Early life ==
Isiekwe was born in [[Hemel Hempstead]].<ref name="rw1">{{cite news |url=https://www.rugbyworld.com/countries/england-countries/nick-isiekwe-ten-things-you-should-know-about-the-saracens-lock-135600/amp|title=Who is Nick Isiekwe: Ten things you should know about the Saracens lock|first=Sarah|last=Rendell|website=Rugby World|date=30 January 2022|access-date=5 February 2022}}</ref> His father migrated to the United Kingdom from [[Nigeria]].<ref name="rw1"/><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.premiershiprugby.com/2018/06/26/rising-stars-nick-isiekwe/|title=Rising Stars: Nick Isiekwe|first=Charlie|last=Bennett|website=Premiership Rugby|date=26 June 2018|accessdate=5 February 2022}}</ref>
Isiekwe was born in [[Hemel Hempstead]].<ref name="rw1">{{cite news |url=https://www.rugbyworld.com/countries/england-countries/nick-isiekwe-ten-things-you-should-know-about-the-saracens-lock-135600/amp|title=Who is Nick Isiekwe: Ten things you should know about the Saracens lock|first=Sarah|last=Rendell|website=Rugby World|date=30 January 2022|access-date=5 February 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.premiershiprugby.com/2018/06/26/rising-stars-nick-isiekwe/|title=Rising Stars: Nick Isiekwe|first=Charlie|last=Bennett|website=Premiership Rugby|date=26 June 2018|accessdate=5 February 2022}}</ref>


Isiekwe first played rugby union at the age of nine, playing [[touch rugby]] for Old Verulamians after being encouraged by his mother Ruth to take up a sport.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.ampthillrufc.com/saracens-ben-earl-nick-isiewke-sign-on-dual-registration/|title=Saracens Ben Earl & Nick Isiekwe Sign On Dual Registration|publisher=Ampthill RUFC|date=24 May 2016|access-date=22 May 2017}}</ref><ref name="rw2">{{cite news |url=http://www.rugbyworld.com/in-the-mag/hotshots/hotshot-saracens-lock-nick-isiekwe-78075|title=Hotshot: Saracens lock Nick Isiekwe|first=Sarah|last=Mockford|website=Rugby World|date=2 May 2017|access-date=22 May 2017}}</ref> At the age of thirteen, he played for [[Old Albanian RFC]] and went through the junior ranks at the club.<ref name="rw2"/>
Isiekwe first played rugby union at the age of six (start young), playing [[touch rugby]] for Old Verulamians after being encouraged by his mother Ruth to take up a sport.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.ampthillrufc.com/saracens-ben-earl-nick-isiewke-sign-on-dual-registration/|title=Saracens Ben Earl & Nick Isiekwe Sign On Dual Registration|publisher=Ampthill RUFC|date=24 May 2016|access-date=22 May 2017}}</ref><ref name="rw2">{{cite news |url=http://www.rugbyworld.com/in-the-mag/hotshots/hotshot-saracens-lock-nick-isiekwe-78075|title=Hotshot: Saracens lock Nick Isiekwe|first=Sarah|last=Mockford|website=Rugby World|date=2 May 2017|access-date=22 May 2017}}</ref> At the age of thirteen, he played for [[Old Albanian RFC]] and went through the junior ranks at the club.<ref name="rw2"/>


==Club career==
== Club career ==
Isiekwe, a member of the Saracens Academy structure,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.hertsad.co.uk/sport/isiekwe-on-england-saracens-and-preparing-for-exams-5023396|title=Isiekwe on England, Saracens and preparing for exams|first=Michael|last=Edwards|website=Herts Advertiser|date=4 May 2015|accessdate=22 May 2017}}</ref> was trialed at many positions including [[Rugby union positions#Prop|prop]], [[Rugby union positions#Number eight|Number 8]], [[Flanker (rugby union)|flanker]] and [[Rugby union positions#Centre|centre]], but his six-foot six stature saw him physically outgrow his original positions and moved to second row.<ref name="rw2"/> This positional change saw him gain two appearances for the Saracens senior side during the [[2016–17 Premiership Rugby|2016–17 Premiership]] campaign.<ref name="independent">{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/international/england-squad-argentina-tour-eddie-jones-nick-isiekwe-maro-itoje-saracens-a7693091.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220620/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/international/england-squad-argentina-tour-eddie-jones-nick-isiekwe-maro-itoje-saracens-a7693091.html |archive-date=2022-06-20 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Eddie Jones believes Nick Isiekwe can be the next Maro Itoje as England coach backs youth in warning to fringe players|first=Jack|last=de Menezes|website=[[The Independent]]|date=20 April 2017|access-date=22 May 2017}}</ref>
Isiekwe, a member of the Saracens Academy structure,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.hertsad.co.uk/sport/isiekwe-on-england-saracens-and-preparing-for-exams-5023396|title=Isiekwe on England, Saracens and preparing for exams|first=Michael|last=Edwards|website=Herts Advertiser|date=4 May 2015|accessdate=22 May 2017}}</ref> was trialed at many positions including [[Rugby union positions#Prop|prop]], [[Rugby union positions#Number eight|Number 8]], [[Flanker (rugby union)|flanker]] and [[Rugby union positions#Centre|centre]], but his six-foot six stature saw him physically outgrow his original positions and moved to second row.<ref name="rw2"/> This positional change saw him gain two appearances for the Saracens senior side during the [[2016–17 Premiership Rugby|2016–17 Premiership]] campaign.<ref name="independent">{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/international/england-squad-argentina-tour-eddie-jones-nick-isiekwe-maro-itoje-saracens-a7693091.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220620/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/international/england-squad-argentina-tour-eddie-jones-nick-isiekwe-maro-itoje-saracens-a7693091.html |archive-date=2022-06-20 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Eddie Jones believes Nick Isiekwe can be the next Maro Itoje as England coach backs youth in warning to fringe players|first=Jack|last=de Menezes|website=[[The Independent]]|date=20 April 2017|access-date=22 May 2017}}</ref>


In May 2018 Isiekwe started in the final of [[2017–18 Premiership Rugby]] season as Saracens defeated [[Exeter Chiefs]] to win the competition.<ref name="prem18">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/44212788|title=Premiership final: Exeter Chiefs 10-27 Saracens|first=Adam|last=Williams|website=BBC Sport|date=26 May 2018|access-date=13 October 2020}}</ref> The following season he was a member of the side that completed a league and European double; coming off the bench as a replacement for [[Will Skelton]] in the [[2019 European Rugby Champions Cup Final]] which saw Saracens defeat [[Leinster Rugby|Leinster]] at [[St James' Park]] to become European champions and subsequently featuring in the victory over Exeter to retain their league title.<ref name="hc19">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/48239893|title=Leinster 10-20 Saracens: English side win third Champions Cup in Newcastle|first=Mantej|last=Mann|website=BBC Sport|date=11 May 2019|access-date=13 October 2020}}</ref><ref name="prem19">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/48438232|title=Premiership final: Exeter Chiefs 34-37 Saracens|first=Brent|last=Pilnick|website=BBC Sport|date=1 June 2019|access-date=13 October 2020}}</ref>
In May 2018 Isiekwe started in the final of [[2017–18 Premiership Rugby]] season as Saracens defeated [[Exeter Chiefs]] to win the competition.<ref name="prem18">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/44212788|title=Premiership final: Exeter Chiefs 10-27 Saracens|first=Adam|last=Williams|website=BBC Sport|date=26 May 2018|access-date=13 October 2020}}</ref> The following season he was a member of the side that completed a league and European double; coming off the bench as a replacement for [[Will Skelton]] in the [[2019 European Rugby Champions Cup Final]] which saw Saracens defeat [[Leinster Rugby|Leinster]] at [[St James' Park]] to become European champions and subsequently featuring in the victory over Exeter to retain their league title.<ref name="hc19">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/48239893|title=Leinster 10-20 Saracens: English side win third Champions Cup in Newcastle|first=Mantej|last=Mann|website=BBC Sport|date=11 May 2019|access-date=13 October 2020}}</ref><ref name="prem19">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/48438232|title=Premiership final: Exeter Chiefs 34-37 Saracens|first=Brent|last=Pilnick|website=BBC Sport|date=1 June 2019|access-date=13 October 2020}}</ref>


In May 2020 it was announced that Isiekwe had signed a new deal that would see him remain at Saracens until 2024.<ref name="loan">{{cite news |url=https://www.saracens.com/isiekwe-pledges-long-term-future-to-saracens/|title=Isiekwe pledges long-term future to Saracens|first=Ryan|last=Walters|website=Saracens|date=28 May 2020|access-date=28 May 2020}}</ref> After Saracens were relegated to the [[RFU Championship]] for the 2020-21 campaign it was confirmed that he would further develop his career in the Premiership by spending a season on loan at [[Northampton Saints]].<ref name="loan"/><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/52830953|title=Nick Isiekwe: Northampton sign Saracens lock on year-long loan|publisher=BBC Sport|date=28 May 2020|access-date=1 March 2022}}</ref>
In May 2020 it was announced that Isiekwe had signed a new deal that would see him remain at Saracens until 2024.<ref name="loan">{{cite news |url=https://www.saracens.com/isiekwe-pledges-long-term-future-to-saracens/|title=Isiekwe pledges long-term future to Saracens|first=Ryan|last=Walters|website=Saracens|date=28 May 2020|access-date=28 May 2020}}</ref> After Saracens were relegated to the [[RFU Championship]] for the 2020-21 campaign it was confirmed that he would further develop his career in the Premiership by spending a season on loan at [[Northampton Saints]].<ref name="loan"/><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/52830953|title=Nick Isiekwe: Northampton sign Saracens lock on year-long loan|publisher=BBC Sport|date=28 May 2020|access-date=1 March 2022}}</ref> In his first season back at Saracens he started in the Premiership final defeat to [[Leicester Tigers]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/61829701|title=Premiership final: Leicester Tigers 15-12 Saracens - Freddie Burns drop-goal clinches title|first=Andrew|last=Aloia|website=BBC Sport|date=18 June 2022|accessdate=18 July 2022}}</ref>


He helped Saracens win the Premiership title in 2023, starting in the final as Saracens defeated [[Sale Sharks]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/65727086|title=Premiership final: Saracens 35-25 Sale - Sarries win sixth title in Twickenham thriller |publisher=[[BBC]] |date=27 May 2023 |access-date=7 June 2023}}</ref>
⚫
==International career==

⚫
== International career ==
At the age of fifteen, Isiekwe represented London and South East U16's district in 2014, which quickly saw him gain his first age-grade international call-up; playing for England under 16's against Wales and Scotland. He made a quick climb in the national age-grade set-up, representing England under 17's in 2015 and making three appearances at the 2015 [[Rugby Europe Under-18 Championship|European Under-18 Championship]] in [[France]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.hertsad.co.uk/sport/isiekwe-handed-england-u18-debut-5017454|title=Isiekwe handed England U18 debut|first=Michael|last=Edwards|website=Herts Advertiser|date=25 March 2015|accessdate=1 March 2022}}</ref> He was a member of the [[England national under-20 rugby union team|England under-20 team]] that completed a grand slam during the [[2017 Six Nations Under 20s Championship]].<ref name="independent"/><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/england-win-u20s-grand-slam-as-ireland-fall-short-at-the-death-35542113.html|title=England win U20s Grand Slam as Ireland fall short at the death|first=Cian|last=Tracey|website=[[Irish Independent]]|date=17 March 2017|accessdate=1 March 2022}}</ref>
At the age of fifteen, Isiekwe represented London and South East U16's district in 2014, which quickly saw him gain his first age-grade international call-up; playing for England under 16's against Wales and Scotland. He made a quick climb in the national age-grade set-up, representing England under 17's in 2015 and making three appearances at the 2015 [[Rugby Europe Under-18 Championship|European Under-18 Championship]] in [[France]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.hertsad.co.uk/sport/isiekwe-handed-england-u18-debut-5017454|title=Isiekwe handed England U18 debut|first=Michael|last=Edwards|website=Herts Advertiser|date=25 March 2015|accessdate=1 March 2022}}</ref> He was a member of the [[England national under-20 rugby union team|England under-20 team]] that completed a grand slam during the [[2017 Six Nations Under 20s Championship]].<ref name="independent"/><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/england-win-u20s-grand-slam-as-ireland-fall-short-at-the-death-35542113.html|title=England win U20s Grand Slam as Ireland fall short at the death|first=Cian|last=Tracey|website=[[Irish Independent]]|date=17 March 2017|accessdate=1 March 2022}}</ref>


On 20 April 2017, Isiekwe received his first call-up by coach [[Eddie Jones (rugby union)|Eddie Jones]] for the senior [[England national rugby union team|England team]] to join their [[2017 England rugby union tour of Argentina|summer tour of South America]].<ref name="independent"/> On 10 June 2017 he made his senior debut off the bench as a replacement for [[Charlie Ewels]] in the opening test against [[Argentina national rugby union team|Argentina]] and also played in the second match as England won the series.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2017/jun/10/argentina-v-england-first-test-live|title=Argentina 34-38 England: first Test – as it happened|first=Niall|last=McVeigh|website=[[The Guardian]]|date=10 June 2017|accessdate=1 March 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/40297245|title=England wrap up series 2-0 with 35-25 win over Argentina|first=James|last=Standley|website=BBC Sport|date=17 June 2017|accessdate=1 March 2022}}</ref> The following year he made his first start in the opening test of their summer tour against [[South Africa national rugby union team|South Africa]] at [[Ellis Park Stadium|Ellis Park]] however he was substituted in the first half.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.skysports.com/rugby-union/news/12504/11397421/nick-isiekwe-to-make-full-england-debut-with-brad-shields-on-bench-vs-south-africa|title=Nick Isiekwe to make full England debut with Brad Shields on bench vs South Africa|first=Tony|last=Tighe|website=[[Sky Sports]]|date=7 June 2018|accessdate=1 March 2022}}</ref><ref name="times">{{cite news |url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/nick-isiekwe-back-in-favour-with-england-four-years-after-false-start-p8b8npqs5|title=Nick Isiekwe back in favour with England four years after false start|first=John|last=Westerby|website=[[The Times]]|date=12 February 2022|access-date=1 March 2022}}</ref> Isiekwe did not feature at International level again for four years until he was recalled for the [[2022 Six Nations Championship]].<ref name="times"/>
On 20 April 2017, Isiekwe received his first call-up by coach [[Eddie Jones (rugby union)|Eddie Jones]] for the senior [[England national rugby union team|England team]] to join their [[2017 England rugby union tour of Argentina|summer tour of South America]].<ref name="independent"/> On 10 June 2017 he made his senior debut as a second-half substitute for [[Charlie Ewels]] in the opening test against [[Argentina national rugby union team|Argentina]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2017/jun/10/argentina-v-england-first-test-live|title=Argentina 34-38 England: first Test – as it happened|first=Niall|last=McVeigh|website=[[The Guardian]]|date=10 June 2017|accessdate=1 March 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/2017/09/05/exclusive-interview-meet-nick-isiekwe-teenager-following-maro/|url-access=subscription|title=Exclusive interview: Meet Nick Isiekwe, the teenager following Maro Itoje with Saracens and England|first=Charlie|last=Morgan|website=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|date=5 September 2017|accessdate=18 July 2022}}</ref> The following year he made his first start in the opening test of their summer tour against [[South Africa national rugby union team|South Africa]] at [[Ellis Park Stadium|Ellis Park]] however he was substituted in the first half.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.skysports.com/rugby-union/news/12504/11397421/nick-isiekwe-to-make-full-england-debut-with-brad-shields-on-bench-vs-south-africa|title=Nick Isiekwe to make full England debut with Brad Shields on bench vs South Africa|first=Tony|last=Tighe|website=[[Sky Sports]]|date=7 June 2018|accessdate=1 March 2022}}</ref><ref name="times">{{cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/nick-isiekwe-back-in-favour-with-england-four-years-after-false-start-p8b8npqs5|url-access=subscription|title=Nick Isiekwe back in favour with England four years after false start|first=John|last=Westerby|date=12 February 2022|work=[[The Times]]|access-date=1 March 2022}}</ref> Isiekwe did not feature at international level again for four years until he was recalled for the [[2022 Six Nations Championship]].<ref name="times"/> He was also a member of their [[2022 England rugby union tour of Australia|2022 tour of Australia]] featuring off the bench in the final test victory at [[Sydney Cricket Ground]] to win the series.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/62190736|title=Australia 17-21 England: Tourists seal series win over Australia|first=Mike|last=Henson|website=BBC Sport|date=16 July 2022|accessdate=18 July 2022}}</ref>


==Honours==
== Honours ==
'''Saracens'''
; Saracens
* [[European Rugby Champions Cup]]: [[2018–19 European Rugby Champions Cup|2018-19]]<ref name="hc19"/>
* 1× [[European Rugby Champions Cup]]: [[2018–19 European Rugby Champions Cup|2019]]<ref name="hc19"/>
* [[Premiership Rugby|Premiership]]: [[2017–18 Premiership Rugby|2017-18]],<ref name="prem18"/> [[2018–19 Premiership Rugby|2018-19]]<ref name="prem19"/>
* 3× [[Premiership Rugby]]: [[2017–18 Premiership Rugby|2018]],<ref name="prem18"/> [[2018–19 Premiership Rugby|2019]],<ref name="prem19"/> [[2022–23 Premiership Rugby|2023]]


==References==
== References ==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


==External links==
== External links ==
* [https://www.englandrugby.com/england/senior-men/squad/nick-isiekwe RFU Profile]
* [https://www.englandrugby.com/follow/england-men/senior-men/nick-isiekwe Nick Isiekwe] at [[Rugby Football Union|England Rugby]]
* {{sports links}}
* [http://en.espn.co.uk/england/rugby/player/294165.html ESPN Scrum]


{{Saracens F.C. squad}}
{{Saracens F.C. squad}}
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[[Category:Living people]]
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[[Category:Black British sportsmen]]
[[Category:England international rugby union players]]
[[Category:England international rugby union players]]
[[Category:English people of Nigerian descent]]
[[Category:English people of Nigerian descent]]
[[Category:Sportspeople of Nigerian descent]]
[[Category:English rugby union players]]
[[Category:English rugby union players]]
[[Category:Rugby union locks]]
[[Category:Rugby union locks]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Hemel Hempstead]]
[[Category:Rugby union players from Hemel Hempstead]]
[[Category:Rugby union players from Hemel Hempstead]]
[[Category:Northampton Saints players]]
[[Category:Northampton Saints players]]
[[Category:Saracens F.C. players]]
[[Category:Saracens F.C. players]]
[[Category:21st-century British sportsmen]]

Latest revision as of 16:01, 1 December 2024

Nick Isiekwe
Full nameNicholas Akamonye Isiekwe
Date of birth (1998-04-20) 20 April 1998 (age 26)
Place of birthHemel Hempstead, England
Height2.01 m (6 ft 7 in)
Weight120 kg (265 lb; 18 st 13 lb)
SchoolNicholas Breakspear School
Haileybury and Imperial Service College
Rugby union career
Position(s) Lock, Flanker
Current team Saracens
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2016– Saracens 133 (20)
2019–2021 → Northampton Saints (loan) 22 (15)
Correct as of 19 January 2024
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2015–2016 England U18 9 (0)
2017 England U20 4 (0)
2017– England 11 (0)
Correct as of 19 January 2024

Nicholas Akamonye Isiekwe (born 20 April 1998) is an English professional rugby union player who plays as a lock for Premiership Rugby club Saracens and the England national team.

Early life

[edit]

Isiekwe was born in Hemel Hempstead.[1][2]

Isiekwe first played rugby union at the age of six (start young), playing touch rugby for Old Verulamians after being encouraged by his mother Ruth to take up a sport.[3][4] At the age of thirteen, he played for Old Albanian RFC and went through the junior ranks at the club.[4]

Club career

[edit]

Isiekwe, a member of the Saracens Academy structure,[5] was trialed at many positions including prop, Number 8, flanker and centre, but his six-foot six stature saw him physically outgrow his original positions and moved to second row.[4] This positional change saw him gain two appearances for the Saracens senior side during the 2016–17 Premiership campaign.[6]

In May 2018 Isiekwe started in the final of 2017–18 Premiership Rugby season as Saracens defeated Exeter Chiefs to win the competition.[7] The following season he was a member of the side that completed a league and European double; coming off the bench as a replacement for Will Skelton in the 2019 European Rugby Champions Cup Final which saw Saracens defeat Leinster at St James' Park to become European champions and subsequently featuring in the victory over Exeter to retain their league title.[8][9]

In May 2020 it was announced that Isiekwe had signed a new deal that would see him remain at Saracens until 2024.[10] After Saracens were relegated to the RFU Championship for the 2020-21 campaign it was confirmed that he would further develop his career in the Premiership by spending a season on loan at Northampton Saints.[10][11] In his first season back at Saracens he started in the Premiership final defeat to Leicester Tigers.[12]

He helped Saracens win the Premiership title in 2023, starting in the final as Saracens defeated Sale Sharks.[13]

International career

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At the age of fifteen, Isiekwe represented London and South East U16's district in 2014, which quickly saw him gain his first age-grade international call-up; playing for England under 16's against Wales and Scotland. He made a quick climb in the national age-grade set-up, representing England under 17's in 2015 and making three appearances at the 2015 European Under-18 Championship in France.[14] He was a member of the England under-20 team that completed a grand slam during the 2017 Six Nations Under 20s Championship.[6][15]

On 20 April 2017, Isiekwe received his first call-up by coach Eddie Jones for the senior England team to join their summer tour of South America.[6] On 10 June 2017 he made his senior debut as a second-half substitute for Charlie Ewels in the opening test against Argentina.[16][17] The following year he made his first start in the opening test of their summer tour against South Africa at Ellis Park however he was substituted in the first half.[18][19] Isiekwe did not feature at international level again for four years until he was recalled for the 2022 Six Nations Championship.[19] He was also a member of their 2022 tour of Australia featuring off the bench in the final test victory at Sydney Cricket Ground to win the series.[20]

Honours

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Saracens

References

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  1. ^ Rendell, Sarah (30 January 2022). "Who is Nick Isiekwe: Ten things you should know about the Saracens lock". Rugby World. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  2. ^ Bennett, Charlie (26 June 2018). "Rising Stars: Nick Isiekwe". Premiership Rugby. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  3. ^ "Saracens Ben Earl & Nick Isiekwe Sign On Dual Registration". Ampthill RUFC. 24 May 2016. Retrieved 22 May 2017.
  4. ^ a b c Mockford, Sarah (2 May 2017). "Hotshot: Saracens lock Nick Isiekwe". Rugby World. Retrieved 22 May 2017.
  5. ^ Edwards, Michael (4 May 2015). "Isiekwe on England, Saracens and preparing for exams". Herts Advertiser. Retrieved 22 May 2017.
  6. ^ a b c de Menezes, Jack (20 April 2017). "Eddie Jones believes Nick Isiekwe can be the next Maro Itoje as England coach backs youth in warning to fringe players". The Independent. Archived from the original on 2022-06-20. Retrieved 22 May 2017.
  7. ^ a b Williams, Adam (26 May 2018). "Premiership final: Exeter Chiefs 10-27 Saracens". BBC Sport. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
  8. ^ a b Mann, Mantej (11 May 2019). "Leinster 10-20 Saracens: English side win third Champions Cup in Newcastle". BBC Sport. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
  9. ^ a b Pilnick, Brent (1 June 2019). "Premiership final: Exeter Chiefs 34-37 Saracens". BBC Sport. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
  10. ^ a b Walters, Ryan (28 May 2020). "Isiekwe pledges long-term future to Saracens". Saracens. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
  11. ^ "Nick Isiekwe: Northampton sign Saracens lock on year-long loan". BBC Sport. 28 May 2020. Retrieved 1 March 2022.
  12. ^ Aloia, Andrew (18 June 2022). "Premiership final: Leicester Tigers 15-12 Saracens - Freddie Burns drop-goal clinches title". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 July 2022.
  13. ^ "Premiership final: Saracens 35-25 Sale - Sarries win sixth title in Twickenham thriller". BBC. 27 May 2023. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
  14. ^ Edwards, Michael (25 March 2015). "Isiekwe handed England U18 debut". Herts Advertiser. Retrieved 1 March 2022.
  15. ^ Tracey, Cian (17 March 2017). "England win U20s Grand Slam as Ireland fall short at the death". Irish Independent. Retrieved 1 March 2022.
  16. ^ McVeigh, Niall (10 June 2017). "Argentina 34-38 England: first Test – as it happened". The Guardian. Retrieved 1 March 2022.
  17. ^ Morgan, Charlie (5 September 2017). "Exclusive interview: Meet Nick Isiekwe, the teenager following Maro Itoje with Saracens and England". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 18 July 2022.
  18. ^ Tighe, Tony (7 June 2018). "Nick Isiekwe to make full England debut with Brad Shields on bench vs South Africa". Sky Sports. Retrieved 1 March 2022.
  19. ^ a b Westerby, John (12 February 2022). "Nick Isiekwe back in favour with England four years after false start". The Times. Retrieved 1 March 2022.
  20. ^ Henson, Mike (16 July 2022). "Australia 17-21 England: Tourists seal series win over Australia". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 July 2022.
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