Cassius Cleaves
| Date of birth | 15 May 2003 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Height | 178 cm (5 ft 10 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 95 kg (209 lb)[1] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Cassius Cleaves (born 15 May 2003) is an English rugby union player who plays as a winger for Harlequin F.C. and the England national under-20 rugby union team.
Early life
From Wandsworth, Cleaves was named after Muhammad Ali. He began playing rugby union at eleven years-old whilst attending Wimbledon College. By twelve years-old he was playing age group rugby with Harlequin F.C. and for Wimbledon Warriors. He played as Wimbledon College won the Rosslyn Park Sevens. He attended Wellington College, Berkshire for the latter part of his schooling.[2]
Career
Cleaves made a try-scoring debut for Harlequins RFC in March 2022 against Sale Sharks in the Premiership Rugby Cup.[3] A try he scored the following season, in the same competition, against London Irish, was reported as going viral due to Cleaves' display of pace and footwork after collection the ball in his own half.[4]
International career
Cleaves made his debut for the England U-20 team in the 2023 Six Nations Under 20s Championship against Wales U20.[5] His performance against Wales was described as “particularly eye-catching”.[6]
He featured for England U-20s at the 2023 World Rugby U20 Championship in June and July 2023, scoring tries against Fiji U20, Australia U20, and in the semi-final against France U20.[7]
Style of play
Cleaves has been described as having a "stunning sidestep and blistering pace".[8]
Personal life
Through his mother, Cleaves is of Ghanian heritage.[9]
References
- ^ "Cassius Cleaves". All.Rugby. Retrieved 11 July 2023.
- ^ Mockford, Sarah (May 8, 2022). "Hotshot: England U20 wing Cassius Cleaves". Rugby World. Retrieved 11 July 2023.
- ^ Moore, Peter (March 30, 2022). "Late Quins fightback not enough to grab victory over Sharks". Prostinternatiomal.com. Retrieved July 11, 2023.
- ^ "Harlequins teenager stuns social media with pace and footwork". Rugbyonslaught.com. 22 September 2022. Retrieved 11 July 2023.
- ^ "Under-20 Six Nations: England U20s 43-14 Wales U20s". BBC Sport. 25 February 2022.
- ^ Morgan, Charlie (20 March 2022). "What is the point of Premiership Cup rugby if coaches do not even want to win it?". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 11 July 2023.
- ^ Coles, Ben (July 10, 2023). "England's next generation: The U20 stars of tomorrow who could break into Steve Borthwick's squad". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
- ^ ""The future" – The Telegraph back five England youngsters for 2027 World Cup". Ruck.co.uk. 10 July 2023. Retrieved 11 July 2023.
- ^ Thomas, Claire (22 June 2023). "Cassius Cleaves: England's viral sensation eyes U20 glory". Rugby Pass. Retrieved 11 July 2023.
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- 2003 births
- Living people
- English rugby union players
- Harlequin F.C. players
- People educated at Wellington College, Berkshire
- People educated at Wimbledon College
- Rugby union wings
- Rugby union players from the London Borough of Wandsworth
- English people of Ghanaian descent
- English rugby union biography stubs