Raffi Quirke (born 18 August 2001) is an English professional rugby union player who plays as a scrum-half for Sale Sharks in the Premiership.[1]
| Birth name | Raphael Quirke | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Date of birth | 18 August 2001 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Chorlton, England | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 85 kg (13 st 5 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | St Ambrose College | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Early life
editQuirke started playing rugby when he was 5, inspired by his father Saul who coached him through his early years. He was part of a Broughton Park RFC side at U9s level, in which the side went unbeaten while scoring 267 tries.[2][3] Quirke was also a triathlete, following in the footsteps of both of his parents, becoming North-West champion at triathlon when 12 or 13. However, it became increasingly difficult to consider pursuing both rugby and triathlons to a professional level, so he eventually decided to focus on rugby.[2]
He was educated at Saint Ambrose College.[4][5] Quirke of Irish ancestry through a maternal grandparent.[6]
Club career
editIn 2019 Quirke spent a period on loan to Sale FC in National League One.[2] On 20 February 2021 Quirke made his professional club debut for Sale Sharks in a Premiership game against Harlequins[5][7] and in April of that year he scored his first try for the club in a European Rugby Champions Cup game away to Scarlets.[8]
International career
editQuirke represented England at both U16 and U18 level, scoring two tries against Wales for the under-16 squad.[4] In 2018 he toured South Africa with the under-18 squad[4] and scored a try in the defeat against France.[9] Quirke was subsequently selected for the under-20 squad although did not participate in any of their fixtures.[2]
In September 2021 coach Eddie Jones included Quirke in the senior England squad for a training camp.[10] On 13 November 2021 Quirke made his Test debut for England, coming on as a replacement for Ben Youngs in the 72nd minute against Australia in the Autumn Nations Series, a game which England won 32-15.[11] In doing so, he became England's youngest scrum-half since Nick Duncombe in 2002. Quirke then came off the bench in England's final test of the series against South Africa, scoring the winning try in England's 27-26 victory.[12]
Quirke was named in the initial training squad for the 2022 Six Nations Championship.[13]
International tries
edit- As of 20 November 2021[1]
| Try | Opposing team | Location | Venue | Competition | Date | Result | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  South Africa
|
London, England | Twickenham Stadium | 2021 Autumn Nations Series | 20 November 2021 | Win | 27 – 26 |
Personal life
editAs a keen outdoors sports fan, Quirke also enjoys middle-distance running, cross country running, swimming, and cycling. In his music tastes, Raffi enjoys hip-hop, Rhythm and Blues, reggae and rock, with his favourite artist being Bob Marley. Raffi is also a fan of Manchester United.[3] He returns to Saint Ambrose to help coach the younger players.
References
edit- ^ a b "ESPN profile:Raffi Quirke". ESPN. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
- ^ a b c d Harvey, Neale (14 February 2020). "Young Guns: Sale Sharks scrum-half Raphael Quirke". The Rugby Paper. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
- ^ a b "RFU". www.englandrugby.com. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
- ^ a b c "SHARKS SECURE SIGNATURES OF 4 PROMISING YOUNGSTERS". Sale Sharks. 27 November 2018. Archived from the original on 21 September 2021. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
- ^ a b Ostick, Chris (14 October 2021). "Rising star Raffi Quirke admits to big miss as Sale Sharks contend with injury absences". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 25 November 2021.
- ^ Richardson, Charles (6 April 2021). "England consider call-up for unknown Sale prop Bevan Rodd". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 25 November 2021.
- ^ Diamond, Sam (20 February 2021). "Match Report: Harlequins 24 Sale Sharks 12". Sale Sharks. Retrieved 25 November 2021.
- ^ "Heineken Champions Cup: Scarlets 14-57 Sale". BBC Sport. 4 April 2021. Retrieved 25 November 2021.
- ^ Lawton, Andrew (11 August 2018). "England defeated by France in U18 International series opener". Premiership Rugby. Retrieved 25 November 2021.
- ^ Jones, Chris (21 September 2021). "Louis Lynagh called up by England - Billy & Mako Vunipola plus George Ford left out". BBC Sport. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
- ^ Latham-Coyle, Harry (13 November 2021). "England vs Australia LIVE: Rugby result, final score and reaction from 2021 Autumn internationals". The Independent. Retrieved 25 November 2021.
- ^ Henson, Mike (20 November 2021). "England clinch dramatic 27-26 win over South Africa at Twickenham". BBC Sport. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
- ^ "RFU". www.englandrugby.com. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
External links
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