Oliver Hartley (born 19 February 2002) is an English professional rugby union player who plays as a centre for Premiership Rugby club Saracens.
| Birth name | Oliver Hartley | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Date of birth | 19 February 2002 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 104 kg (16 st 5 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | Whitgift School | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Early life
editHartley began playing rugby union at the age of five, following in the footsteps of his father Gary – a former trialist with the England national team – when he joined Hammersmith & Fulham RFC. He continued his rugby education whilst a student at Whitgift School in Croydon, prior to joining the Wasps academy as a teenager.[1]
Rugby career
editHartley made his first-team debut for Wasps in 2021, at the age of 19, playing against Newcastle Falcons in the pool stages of the 2021–22 Premiership Rugby Cup.[2] He then spent the majority of the year on loan with Ampthill in the RFU Championship, making four appearances and scoring two tries for his parent club that year.[3] On 17 February 2022, two days before his 20th birthday, it was announced that Hartley had signed a long-term deal with Wasps, graduating into the senior squad for the 2022–23 Premiership season.[4]
On 17 October 2022, Wasps were placed into administration due to financial insolvency and immediately ceased trading, with all players and staff at the club made redundant.[5] This meant that Hartley never featured in a Premiership match for the club. One month later, he signed an academy contract with Saracens in November 2022, and his first appearance for them soon followed, during a pool stage fixture against Leicester Tigers in the 2022–23 Premiership Rugby Cup.[6]
Hartley made his Premiership debut for Saracens on 25 February 2023, starting at inside centre in a home game against Newcastle Falcons.[7] He earned plaudits for his performance and was voted as player of the match.[8] Subsequently, Hartley was promoted into the Saracens senior squad ahead of the 2023–24 season.
In February 2024 Hartley played for the England A side against Portugal.[9]
References
edit- ^ "Young Guns: Olly Hartley". The Rugby Paper. 14 November 2021. Retrieved 26 September 2023.
- ^ "Olly HARTLEY - Player statistics". It's Rugby. Retrieved 26 September 2023.
- ^ Bridge, Bobby (12 July 2022). "Five young Wasps players to watch out for in new season". Coventry Telegraph. Retrieved 26 September 2023.
- ^ "Olly Hartley: Wasps teenager signs 'long-term' deal with the Premiership club". BBC Sport. 17 February 2022. Retrieved 26 September 2023.
- ^ "Wasps: Gallagher Premiership club placed into administration; 167 players, staff made redundant". Sky Sports. 18 October 2022. Retrieved 26 September 2023.
- ^ "Olly HARTLEY:profile and stats". All Rugby. Retrieved 26 September 2023.
- ^ "MATCH REPORT: Saracens Men 29-23 Newcastle Falcons". Saracens. 25 February 2023. Retrieved 26 September 2023.
- ^ Cotton, Matt (1 March 2023). "Saracens' new star, Exeter aim to banish demons and Marcus Smith returns". The Times. Retrieved 26 September 2023.
- ^ "England A vs Portugal: Charlie Ewels to captain England A's first match since 2016". BBC Sport. 23 February 2024. Retrieved 8 March 2024.