Cassius Cleaves (born 15 March 2003) is an English professional rugby union player who plays as a wing for Harlequins. At international level he represented England U20's.
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| Full name | Cassius Cleaves | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Date of birth | 15 March 2003 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | London, England | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 175 cm (5 ft 9 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 95 kg (209 lb; 14 st 13 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | Wimbledon College Wellington College | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Early life
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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 Harlequins and for Old Wimbledonian Warriors. He spearheaded Wimbledon College's National Schools Sevens 2016 tournament Under-13s Juniors Championship win on his 13th birthday;[1] and a year later, their Under-14s Championship win.[2]
He attended Wellington College, Berkshire for the latter part of his schooling.[3]
Club career
editCleaves made a try-scoring debut for Harlequins RFC in March 2022 against Sale Sharks in the Premiership Rugby Cup.[4][5] A try he scored the following season, in the same competition, against London Irish,[6] was reported as going viral due to Cleaves' display of pace and footwork after collecting the ball in his own half.[7]
He made Rugby Premiership debut for Harlequins on 22 September 2024 against Sale Sharks.[8] The following week, he made his first league start in a 28-14 win against Newcastle Falcons and was impressive, being instrumental in causing two of Harlequins' four tries.[9][10][11][12]
International career
editCleaves made his debut for the England U-20 team in the 2022 Six Nations Under 20s Championship against Wales.[13] His performance against Wales was described as “particularly eye-catching”.[5] He scored a try in their next game against Ireland.[14]
Cleaves featured for England U-20s at the 2023 World Rugby U20 Championship in June and July 2023, scoring tries in pool stage games against Fiji[15] and Australia.[16][17] He also scored a try in their semi-final defeat against France as England finished fourth.[17][18]
Style of play
editCleaves has been described as having a "stunning sidestep and blistering pace".[19][20][21]
Personal life
editThrough his mother, Cleaves is of Ghanaian heritage.[22]
References
edit- ^ "National Schools Sevens U-13s final 2016". YouTube. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
- ^ "Under 14s National Schools Sevens Final 2017". YouTube. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
- ^ Mockford, Sarah (8 May 2022). "Hotshot: England U20 wing Cassius Cleaves". Rugby World. Retrieved 11 July 2023.
- ^ Moore, Peter (30 March 2022). "Late Quins fightback not enough to grab victory over Sharks". Prostinternatiomal.com. Retrieved 11 July 2023.
- ^ a b Morgan, Charlie (30 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.
- ^ "Prem Rugby Cup Highlights: Young Harlequins come close to a late comeback against London Irish". YouTube. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
- ^ "Harlequins teenager stuns social media with pace and footwork". Rugbyonslaught.com. 22 September 2022. Retrieved 11 July 2023.
- ^ Morgan, Charlie (1 October 2024). "Young English wingers are making an impact – and are gold dust to Premiership clubs". The Daily Telegraph.
- ^ "Leigh Halfpenny scores his first try for Harlequins as Cassius Cleaves sets him up against Newcastle". YouTube. Retrieved 5 October 2024.
- ^ "GREAT VICTORY! Harlequins vs. Newcastle Falcons". YouTube. Retrieved 1 October 2024.
- ^ "Leigh Halfpenny combines with Cassius Cleaves to win September's DHL Moment That Delivered". YouTube. Retrieved 9 November 2024.
- ^ Richardson, Charles (28 September 2024). "Harlequins' next generation of Cassius Cleaves and 'beast' Nathan Jibulu shine in Newcastle win". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
- ^ "Under-20 Six Nations: England U20s 43-14 Wales U20s". BBC Sport. 25 February 2022. Retrieved 11 July 2023.
- ^ "Under-20 Six Nations 2022: Ireland beat England and chase Grand Slam". BBC Sport. 12 March 2022. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
- ^ "Top Five England U20 Tries - 2023 World Rugby U20 Championship". YouTube. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
- ^ "Highlights: England U20 Men v Australia". YouTube. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
- ^ a b Coles, Ben (10 July 2023). "England's next generation: The U20 stars of tomorrow who could break into Steve Borthwick's squad". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 10 July 2023.
- ^ https://www.youtube.com/shorts/0KeJD_liQsc
- ^ "Is Cassius Cleaves the best winger in the English school game?". YouTube. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
- ^ "Cassius Cleaves - Speed". YouTube. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
- ^ ""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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