Cassius Cleaves

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Cassius Cleaves
Full nameCassius Cleaves
Date of birth (2003-03-15) 15 March 2003 (age 21)
Height175 cm (5 ft 9 in)
Weight95 kg (209 lb; 14 st 13 lb)
SchoolWimbledon College; Wellington College
Rugby union career
Position(s) Wing
Current team London Scottish
(on loan from Harlequins)
Youth career
2012-20?? Old Wimbledonian Warriors
2013-2021 Harlequins
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2021- Harlequins 7 (35)
2021-2022Worthing RFC (loan) 6 (15)
2022-London Scottish (loan) 10 (15)
Correct as of 19 March 2024
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2021 England under-18
2022-2023 England under-20 9 (20)
Correct as of 19 March 2024

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]

Wimbledon College's National Schools Sevens Semi-final against St Benedicts School Ealing on the way to winning the 2016 Under-13s (Juniors) Championship. (15 March 2016)

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]

Personal life[edit]

Through his mother, Cleaves is of Ghanaian heritage.[15]

References[edit]

  1. ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLvlACO68E0
  2. ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEvnJJklfTo&t=8s
  3. ^ Mockford, Sarah (May 8, 2022). "Hotshot: England U20 wing Cassius Cleaves". Rugby World. Retrieved 11 July 2023.
  4. ^ Moore, Peter (March 30, 2022). "Late Quins fightback not enough to grab victory over Sharks". Prostinternatiomal.com. Retrieved July 11, 2023.
  5. ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uj0Cf87bJ4w
  6. ^ "Harlequins teenager stuns social media with pace and footwork". Rugbyonslaught.com. 22 September 2022. Retrieved 11 July 2023.
  7. ^ "Under-20 Six Nations: England U20s 43-14 Wales U20s". BBC Sport. 25 February 2022.
  8. ^ 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.
  9. ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhaHREVE3Wk
  10. ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bjo1abUsupk
  11. ^ https://www.youtube.com/shorts/0KeJD_liQsc
  12. ^ 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.
  13. ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tP8UtKzVi5s
  14. ^ ""The future" – The Telegraph back five England youngsters for 2027 World Cup". Ruck.co.uk. 10 July 2023. Retrieved 11 July 2023.
  15. ^ Thomas, Claire (22 June 2023). "Cassius Cleaves: England's viral sensation eyes U20 glory". Rugby Pass. Retrieved 11 July 2023.