About

A bit more about me.

Childhood

Childhood

As a child growing up, if I’m honest it wasn’t all about rugby for me. Being from Cornwall I used to love being on the beaches, anything to do with being in the sea and just being your standard kid. I’m from a fishing family, as many generations back as we can remember has been out on the boats earning a hard living but I’m the first not to have carried on our family business.

My mum took me down to my local rugby club aged 4 Penzance and Newlyn Pirates where I spent a good chunk of a month stood beside her leg not wanting to join in. After a while and my mum and dad persevering with taking me to the ground I got to know what I would still say my best friends I fell in love with playing.

Growing up I went to my local schools in Newlyn and Penzance and later went on to Truro Collage where I really got the chance to focus on my rugby and have the goal of becoming a professional rugby player.

Family

Family

Family for me is absolutely everything. The birth of my daughters Nori and Zimi have changed my perspective in life massively. It taught me there is more to life than rugby and how to properly switch off from the game. Its made me put all my focus into making their lives as exciting and as safe as I possibly can. My partner Zoe is another lady who has always supported me through my career, knowing her from the age of 16, she has had a massive impact on how I present myself on and off the field, very quick to put me back in place when I start to overthink things but at the same always there through the tough times and good.

Growing up my family and I have always been very close. Having 3 other siblings, two brothers and a single sister, my mum and dad had their work cut out. Being from a small village but have a very big family (over 50 close relations) it taught me that family is everything. I owe my mum and dad a lot for what they sacrificed for me over the years and I certainly know if it wasn’t for them I certainly wouldn’t have achieved what I have achieved so far.

Exeter

Exeter

Moving to Exeter at the age of 18 was a massive step for me but one I had to grab if I was going to make the most of this surreal life I’m living. I was lucky enough to have played with some great players but even luckier to have come all the way through my career with boys like Luke Cowan-Dickie, Sam Hill, Dave Ewers and Henry Slade.

I made my professional debut in 2012 against London Irish, and went on to win the LV=Breakthrough Player Award for the 2012/13 season.

In 2017 I was part of the team that won our first Premiership trophy beating Wasps at Twickenham. This was by far the highlight of my career so far until last season we went on to win the Premiership trophy again by beating Wasps but also lifting the Heineken Cup beating Racing 92.

England

England

Growing up I never thought I’d be playing rugby for a living let alone representing my country. I represented England U18s and 20s at age group rugby being part of the first U20s team to win the IRB Junior World Cup.

I then went on to make my senior debut for England in 2014 playing in my first 6 nations championship. I’ve been lucky enough to have travelled some amazing countries on tour, winning two 6 nations champions cups one of them being a grand slam and also playing in two World Cups.

Lions

Lions

In 2017 I was lucky enough to represent the highest honour in rugby playing for the British and Irish Lions touring New Zealand. This is a tour I will never forget, not only playing with and against the best players in the world but making some memories I shall never forget.

For me this was a proper rugby tour, the rugby was amazing but the fact the Lions traditions have never been forgotten. A team thrown together to take on the World’s best and to enjoy a few beers and laughs along the way. Some great people and some great stories.