Anthony Allen (rugby player)

Infobox Rugby biography
name = Anthony Allen


fullname = Anthony Allen
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1986|9|1|df=yes
placeofbirth = Southampton, England
height = convert|5|ft|11|in|m|abbr=on
weight = convert|14|st|6|lb|kg|abbr=on
nickname =
school = Clayesmore School
Millfield School
Boundary Oak School
relatives =
ru_position = Inside Centre
ru_proclubs = Gloucester Rugby
ru_amateurclubs = Trojans R.F.C
NEC Harlequins
ru_amateuryears =
ru_clubyears = 2005-
ru_clubcaps = 45
ru_clubpoints = (75)
ru_nationalyears =
2006 ‐
ru_nationalteam = England Saxons
England
ru_nationalcaps =
3
ru_nationalpoints =
(0)
pcupdate =
repupdate =

Anthony Allen (born 1 September 1986, Southampton) is an English rugby union footballer, currently playing in the Guinness Premiership for Gloucester Rugby. He plays as a centre.

Youth

As a youth he played his rugby at Trojans R.F.C in Hampshire, whilst attending Boundary Oak School in Fareham. From there he moved on to Clayesmore School at the age of 13.

Gloucester career

2005-06

In 2005, Anthony joined Gloucester straight from Millfield School. At the start of the season Anthony helped Gloucester to triumph in the Middlesex 7s with some fantastic tries. He made his first team debut in Gloucester's Anglo Welsh Cup match against Bristol, which Gloucester won 34-6. Anthony scored his first try for Gloucester in their 106-3 demolition of Bucuresti. His first Guinness Premiership try came 2 weeks later against Leicester at Welford Road. A glorious try against Worcester Warriors helped Gloucester to the European Challenge Cup Final. During his first season with Gloucester Anthony summed up his tremendous talent with a glorious brace of tries against London Wasps. He also played an important role in the defeat of London Irish in the European Challenge Cup Final.

2006-07

After a great start to the season England came calling for Anthony. His performance against Agen at Kingsholm, where he scored two tries in defeat, was a catalyst for his call up. On 28 November 2006 Anthony signed a 2 year extension to his contract. He came back from national duty and continued his great form for Gloucester with 3 tries in 3 games in December. Anthony finished the season with 9 tries including one in Gloucester's semi-final victory against Saracens. He was also voted the young player of the season by Gloucester's fans. Unfortunately for Anthony and Gloucester they suffered defeat at the hands of Leicester in the Guinness Premiership final.

2007-08

Anthony started the season fantastically with 2 tries in the opening 2 weeks against Leeds Carnegie and Saracens. Tries against Ospreys and Bourgoin in the Heineken Cup helped Gloucester to the quarter-finals. Anthony was one of the key players for Gloucester starting 29 games, more than anybody else in the squad. As well as Anthony's obvious talent for breaking tackles and scoring tries his immense tackling plays a vital role to the team.

2008-09

Anthony is now in his 4th season playing for Gloucester and he has now firmly established himself as first choice inside centre alongside Mike Tindall at outside centre. The arrival of Olly Barkley from Bath will present a higher level of competition for Anthony than in previous seasons.

England

He made his England debut against New Zealand on 5 November 2006, partnering Newcastle Falcons' Jamie Noon in the centre, but Allen was dropped after they lost 25-18 to Argentina.

He was an integral part of the England Saxons side that won the Churchill cup in Canada / USA 2008. cite web|url=http://www.england-rugby.com/englandrugby/index.cfm?fuseaction=News.News_Detail&storyid=18739|title=England Saxons squad for Ireland A match|publisher=RFU|date=2008-01-23|accessdate=2008-02-05] cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/english/7217616.stm|title=Varndell shines in Saxons victory|publisher=BBC|date=2008-02-02|accessdate=2008-02-05]

References

External links

* [http://www.gloucesterrugbyclub.com/323_257.php Gloucester Rugby profile]
* [http://www.england-rugby.com/englandrugby/index.cfm?fuseaction=News.News_Detail&storyid=15048 England profile]