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Cassius Cleaves
Full nameCassius Cleaves
Date of birth (2003-03-15) 15 March 2003 (age 21)
Place of birthLondon, England
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 Harlequins
Youth career
2012–20?? Old Wimbledonian Warriors
2013–2021 Harlequins
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2021– Harlequins 7 (35)
2021–2022 → Worthing RFC (loan) 6 (15)
2022–2024 → 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 professional rugby union player who plays as a wing for Harlequins. At international level he represented England U20's.

Early life

[edit]
15 March 2016 - Wimbledon College are presented with the National Schools Sevens Under-13s Juniors trophy.
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]

Club career

[edit]

Cleaves 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] He signed a new contract with the club in November 2024.[13][14]

International career

[edit]

Cleaves made his debut for the England U-20 team in the 2022 Six Nations Under 20s Championship against Wales.[15] His performance against Wales was described as “particularly eye-catching”.[5] He scored a try in their next game against Ireland.[16]

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[17] and Australia.[18][19] He also scored a try in their semi-final defeat against France as England finished fourth.[19][20]

Style of play

[edit]

Cleaves has been described as having a "stunning sidestep and blistering pace".[21][22][23][24]

Personal life

[edit]

Through his mother, Cleaves is of Ghanaian heritage.[25]

References

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  1. ^ "National Schools Sevens U-13s final 2016". YouTube. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
  2. ^ "Under 14s National Schools Sevens Final 2017". YouTube. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
  3. ^ Mockford, Sarah (8 May 2022). "Hotshot: England U20 wing Cassius Cleaves". Rugby World. Retrieved 11 July 2023.
  4. ^ Moore, Peter (30 March 2022). "Late Quins fightback not enough to grab victory over Sharks". Prostinternatiomal.com. Retrieved 11 July 2023.
  5. ^ 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.
  6. ^ "Prem Rugby Cup Highlights: Young Harlequins come close to a late comeback against London Irish". YouTube. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
  7. ^ "Harlequins teenager stuns social media with pace and footwork". Rugbyonslaught.com. 22 September 2022. Retrieved 11 July 2023.
  8. ^ Morgan, Charlie (1 October 2024). "Young English wingers are making an impact – and are gold dust to Premiership clubs". The Daily Telegraph.
  9. ^ "Leigh Halfpenny scores his first try for Harlequins as Cassius Cleaves sets him up against Newcastle". YouTube. Retrieved 5 October 2024.
  10. ^ "GREAT VICTORY! Harlequins vs. Newcastle Falcons". YouTube. Retrieved 1 October 2024.
  11. ^ "Leigh Halfpenny combines with Cassius Cleaves to win September's DHL Moment That Delivered". YouTube. Retrieved 9 November 2024.
  12. ^ 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.
  13. ^ "Cassius Cleaves signs new deal with Harlequins". YouTube. Retrieved 23 November 2024.
  14. ^ "Winger Cleaves signs new Quins contract". BBC Sport. 19 November 2024. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
  15. ^ "Under-20 Six Nations: England U20s 43-14 Wales U20s". BBC Sport. 25 February 2022. Retrieved 11 July 2023.
  16. ^ "Under-20 Six Nations 2022: Ireland beat England and chase Grand Slam". BBC Sport. 12 March 2022. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
  17. ^ "Top Five England U20 Tries - 2023 World Rugby U20 Championship". YouTube. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
  18. ^ "Highlights: England U20 Men v Australia". YouTube. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
  19. ^ 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.
  20. ^ https://www.youtube.com/shorts/0KeJD_liQsc
  21. ^ "Harlequins Academy 21-12 Exeter". YouTube. Retrieved 16 December 2024.
  22. ^ "Is Cassius Cleaves the best winger in the English school game?". YouTube. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
  23. ^ "Cassius Cleaves - Speed". YouTube. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
  24. ^ ""The future" – The Telegraph back five England youngsters for 2027 World Cup". Ruck.co.uk. 10 July 2023. Retrieved 11 July 2023.
  25. ^ Thomas, Claire (22 June 2023). "Cassius Cleaves: England's viral sensation eyes U20 glory". Rugby Pass. Retrieved 11 July 2023.
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