Danny Care’s pace and invention have made him one of the most dangerous operators in world rugby and he has been a regular on the international stage since making his breakthrough in 2008.
Here are seven things you might not know about the popular playmaker:
1. Football prospect
At age 11 he was invited to join the Academy at Sheffield Wednesday, where he played with England striker Jamie Vardy, which meant giving up club rugby although he was able to continue playing the game at Prince Henry’s Grammar School in Otley.
2. Position change
At school level Care spent the season playing at fly-half and helped Prince Henry’s to success in the Under-18 Yorkshire Cup and a famous victory at Twickenham in the final of the Daily Mail Under-18 Vase where he scored 13 points in an 18–11 win against St Columba’s College from St Albans.
3. Sevens
He played in numerous competitions for England Sevens since 2006, which included the playmaker winning a silver medal at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne.
4. Partner in crime
The Queen’s granddaughter Zara Phillips and her husband Mike Tindall watched as the England rugby star married the mum of his son Blake at St Andrew’s Church in Cobham, Surrey in 2016.
5. Charity Work
Early in 2009, he took part in the Cosmopolitan Everyman Campaign to raise awareness for testicular and prostate cancer, along with fellow Quins Will Skinner, David Strettle, Jordan Turner-Hall and Gonzalo Tiesi. Taking part meant stripping naked and posing as centrefolds which was enjoyed by ladies the world over, and just in case you have the urge to have a look, click on the picture to transport into the Cosmo Naked Centrefold world…
6. Record holder
He is the highest scoring scrum half in Premiership history.
7. Most used replacement
The scrum-half is England most-used replacement in history, making 46 replacements from the bench since making his debut in 2008.
JOIN THE RUCK
ENGLAND WAGS
1. George Ford – Jess Portman
Michelle Keegan lookalike Jessica Portman is a fashion promotion student and has been with the England fly-half for over three years and they’re now engaged.
2. Jack Nowell – Zoe Ann Pearce
Possibly the cutest couple in rugby share an equally adorable daughter called Nora.