Calum Clark

Calum Clark (born 10 June 1989 in Stockton-on-Tees, County Durham) is a former professional rugby union player who played for Saracens. His primary position was Openside Flanker.

Calum Clark
Date of birth (1989-06-10) 10 June 1989
Place of birthStockton-on-Tees[1]
Height1.93 m (6 ft 4 in)[2]
Weight111 kg (17 st 7 lb; 245 lb)[3][4]
SchoolBarnard Castle School
Rugby union career
Position(s) Flanker
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2006–2010 Yorkshire Carnegie 70 (30)
2010–2017 Northampton Saints 147 (50)
2017– Saracens 18 (5)
Correct as of 3 September 2018
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2009 England U20 3 (5)
2015- England 1 (0)

Early life and education

Clark is the only son of Jane Clark and David Stevenson Clark, former Deputy Headteacher of Richmond School and Sixth Form College in Richmond, North Yorkshire. David was tragically killed on 21 September 2020 by cows whilst walking his dogs. Calum has two siblings, Hannah and Helen.

He was educated at Barnard Castle school.

Rugby playing career

Club level

Clark came through the Leeds Carnegie youth academy, making his debut for the Yorkshire side in 2007.[5]

The flanker made 23 appearances in his debut season at Leeds and was called up to the England U20s in 2008. Clark helped the national side to the 2008 IRB Junior World Championship (JWC) final and was back in the side the following season, this time as captain for both the Six Nations tournament and the JWC campaign where he led England to the final again.[6]

Clark played for the Saints senior side on 30 September 2016 as the Midlands side beat Exeter Chiefs 20-19 and then went on to score his first try of the 2016/17 season against Montpellier Herault Rugby on 15 October.[7][8]

In 2014 Clark started as Northampton beat Saracens to win the Premiership final.[9]

On 17 January 2017, it was announced that Clark would make the move to Premiership rivals Saracens on a three-year contract from the 2017-18 season.[10] He subsequently signed a further one-year contract.[11]

Disciplinary record

In 2012, Clark was banned for 32 weeks, the longest ban in English rugby history at the time,[12] for deliberately hyper-extending the arm of Leicester Tigers hooker Rob Hawkins causing a fractured elbow.[13] Such an offence could have attracted an entry point of 5 years, however, the disciplinary panel found that whilst the offence itself was intentional, there was no evidence that Clark intended to cause a serious injury.[14]

International level

Clark led the England Saxons side in 2014 against Irish Wolfhounds.[5]

Clark was, then, selected for the England 2015 Rugby World Cup training squad.[15] He made his England debut when he started against France on 15 August 2015.[16]

Player support role

In 2021 it was announced that Clark would move to a player psychological support and development role at Saracens. Clark had undertaken post-graduate study in related areas.[17]

References
  1. Calum Clark. "Calum Clark". Northamptonsaints.co.uk. Archived from the original on 12 March 2012. Retrieved 23 February 2012.
  2. "Calum Clark - Official RFU England Profile". Archived from the original on 9 May 2013. Retrieved 10 May 2013.
  3. "Aviva Premiership Rugby - Northampton Saints". web page. Premier Rugby. Archived from the original on 2 February 2012. Retrieved 21 September 2011.
  4. "Northampton Saints | Rugby | Official Site : Home | News, features & General Information > Rugby > Profiles > profile". Archived from the original on 11 December 2014. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
  5. "Calum Clark - Northampton Saints". Archived from the original on 29 May 2016. Retrieved 21 October 2016.
  6. "News: Calum Clark Signs for Northampton Saints".
  7. "Northampton Saints team news for Exeter clash".
  8. "SAINTS 16 MONTPELLIER 14 Myler penalty at the death seals Saints European win".
  9. "Premiership final: Saracens 20-24 Northampton Saints". BBC. 31 May 2014. Retrieved 24 March 2019.
  10. "Saracens sign Northampton Saints and former England flanker Calum Clark". BBC Sport. 17 January 2017. Retrieved 17 March 2017.
  11. "Clark signs Saracens extension". Saracens. 13 July 2020. Retrieved 13 July 2020.
  12. "Calum Clark retires from playing to take up unique new Saracens role".
  13. "Northampton Saints flanker Calum Clark given 32-week ban". BBC Sport. 30 March 2012. Retrieved 29 October 2016.
  14. "RFU Disciplinary Judgement Calum Clark" (PDF).
  15. "England announce Rugby World Cup training group". englandrugby.com. 20 May 2015. Retrieved 1 March 2016.
  16. "England beat France 19-14 in Rugby World Cup warm-up". BBC Sport. 15 August 2015. Retrieved 1 March 2016.
  17. "Calum Clark retires from playing to take up unique new Saracens role".
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