Born on this day- 25th July
Kieran Brookes
- Position: Tighthead prop
- DOB: 25/07/1990 (age 25)
- Current Club: Northampton Saints
- Previous clubs: Fylde RFC, Newcastle Falcons, Leicester, Doncaster Knights
- Honours: Irelands U18, Ireland U19, Ireland U20, England U20, England Saxons, England
Born in Stoke, bulldozing prop Kieran Brookes began his international youth rugby with Ireland, representing them at U18, U19 and U20 level before making his England U20 debut in 2010. Brookes then received his first full international call-up in the summer of 2014 for the tour of New Zealand and has now accumulated 10 caps. The 25-year old is now part of England training squad and is hoping to be part of Stuart Lancaster’s final group for the World Cup in the autumn.
Jake Schatz
- Position: Blindside flanker
- DOB: 25/07/1990 (age 25)
- Current Club: Queensland Reds
- Previous clubs: Brisbane City
- Honours: Australia
Promising flanker Jake Schatz made his breakthrough for the Reds in the 2010 Super 14 competition having led Australia’s under-20 side to the final of the Junior World Championships in Argentina. Steady progress followed for the flanker before he was called up to the full Wallabies squad for the 2012 Rugby Championship, but it would not be until 2013 when he would make his debut against the Springboks.
Gareth Thomas
- Position: Blindside flanker
- DOB: 25/07/1974 (age 41)
- Current Club: Retired
- Previous clubs: Bridgend, Cardiff RFC, Celtic Warriors, Toulouse, Cardiff Blues
- Honours: Wales U21, Wales, British and Irish Lions, Barbarians
Wales legend and former Captain Gareth Thomas surpassed Gareth Llewellyn as the most-capped Wales player with his 100th appearance in the 2007 World Cup match against Fiji. The full-back was A prolific try scorer at international level, Thomas is listed ninth in the world on the all-time Test try scoring list. In March 2010, Thomas opted to switch codes, joining Super League side Crusaders on a short-term deal.