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| Full name | Cassius Cleaves | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Date of birth | 15 March 2003 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 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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Cassius Cleaves (born 15 March 2003) is an English rugby union player who plays as a winger for Harlequins and the England U20's.
Early life
[edit]
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]
Career
[edit]Cleaves made a try-scoring debut for Harlequins RFC in March 2022 against Sale Sharks in the Premiership Rugby Cup.[4] A try he scored the following season, in the same competition, against London Irish,[5] was reported as going viral due to Cleaves' display of pace and footwork after collection the ball in his own half.[6]
International career
[edit]Cleaves made his debut for the England U-20 team in the 2023 Six Nations Under 20s Championship against Wales U20.[7] His performance against Wales was described as “particularly eye-catching”.[8]
He featured for England U-20s at the 2023 World Rugby U20 Championship in June and July 2023, scoring tries against Fiji U20,[9] Australia U20,[10] and in the semi-final against France U20.[11][12]
Style of play
[edit]Cleaves has been described as having a "stunning sidestep and blistering pace".[13][14][15]
Personal life
[edit]Through his mother, Cleaves is of Ghanaian heritage.[16]
References
[edit]- ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLvlACO68E0
- ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEvnJJklfTo&t=8s
- ^ 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.
- ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uj0Cf87bJ4w
- ^ "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.
- ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhaHREVE3Wk
- ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bjo1abUsupk
- ^ https://www.youtube.com/shorts/0KeJD_liQsc
- ^ 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.
- ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tP8UtKzVi5s
- ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBh_mbuHf8I
- ^ ""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.