Kris Chesney

Infobox Rugby biography
name = Kris Chesney


caption =
birthname = Kris Chesney
nickname = Ches
dateofbirth =
birthyear = 1974
birthmonth = 03
birthday = 02
placeofbirth = Ilford, East London, England
height = 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
weight = 18 st 4 lb (116 kg)
ru_position = Lock Flanker Number 8
ru_amupdate = 7 November 2007
ru_clubyears = 1997–1998 1995– 1993–1995
ru_proclubs = → Bristol Rugby (loan) Saracens Barking RFC
ru_clubcaps = 298 4
ru_clubpoints = (30) (5)
ru_clubupdate = 7 November 2007
ru_sevensnationalyears =
ru_sevensnationalteam = England Sevens
ru_sevensnationalcomp =
ru_sevensupdate = 7 November 2007
ru_nationalteam = England U21
ru_nationalyears =
ru_nationalcaps =
ru_nationalpoints =
ru_ntupdate = 7 November 2007
rl_position = Second Row Forward Loose Forward
rl_amateuryears =
rl_amateurclubs =
rl_amupdate =
rl_clubyears = 1997–1998
rl_proclubs = → London Broncos (loan)
rl_clubcaps =
rl_clubpoints =
rl_clubupdate = 7 November 2007
other = yes
occupation =
spouse =
children =
relatives =
school = Chadwell High School
university =
url =

Kris Chesney (born 2 March 1974 in Ilford, East London) is a rugby union footballer who plays at flanker, number 8 and lock for Saracens. At a national level he has appeared in England Sevens and England U21 teams. He also played rugby league for a time on loan with the London Broncos (now Harlequins RL).

Early life

Chesney was born in Ilford, East London on 2 March 1974 and educated at the Chadwell Heath Foundation School. Chesney did not play rugby until he was 18 because only football, basketball and cricket were played at his school. It was a number of friends in his cricket club who also played rugby at Barking RFC who suggested that he give the game a trycite news |title=Saracens veteran eyes silver lining |publisher=The Times |date=2004-08-08 |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/rugby/article1626333.ece |accessdate=2007-11-06 ] .

Playing career

Barking RFC 1993-95

Chesney developed his skills playing for Barking RFC until, on the threshold of the professional era, he moved to Saracens in 1995, having rejected overtures from Harlequins and London Wasps. Despite his late introduction to the sport his progress was sufficiently rapid to merit inclusion in England U21 sidescite news |title=Saracens Profile |publisher=Saracens |date=2007-11-06 |url=http://www.saracens.com/players/view.php?Id=13 |accessdate=2007-11-06 ] .

aracens 1995-present

Chesney formally joined Saracens on 1 July 1995, making his debut against Shannon RFC at the start of the 1995-96 Allied Dunbar Premiership season on 2 September of that year. Despite this early run out, first team appearances proved hard to come by and by 1998 spells on loan to Bristol Rugby and crossing codes to appear for the then London Broncoscite news |title=Guinness Premiership Profile |publisher=Guinness Premiership |date=2007-11-06 |url=http://www.guinnesspremiership.com/112_146.php?player=3920&includeref=dynamic |accessdate=2007-11-06 ] .

Upon his return to Saracens first team starts came along more often and by the 1999-00 season he had become a regular with 19 appearances in the Allied Dunbar Premiership alone. After this break through Chesney rarely relinquished his position as a first choice selection other than through injury, such as the serious cruciate and medial knee ligament damage during the 2000-01 season.

One of Chesney's key strengths has been the speed he can generate for his size, which was clearly an asset that was considered in his selection to play in the England Sevens team. He has been timed at 11.2 seconds over 100 meters, and demonstrated this speed in scoring a try against the Newcastle Falcons which brought him the award of Try of the Season for the 2004-05 season.

Along with Richard Hill and Kevin Sorrell he forms part of a triumvirate that has been with the club through the entire professional era and still justified 33 appearances in the 2006-07 season. In the 2007-08 Guinness Premiership season Chesney passed the milestone of 300 appearances for Saracens in all competition and 150 appearances in the English Premiership.

References

External links

* [http://www.saracens.com/players/view.php?Id=13 Saracens profile]
* [http://www.guinnesspremiership.com/112_146.php?player=3920&includeref=dynamic Guinness Premiership profile]
* [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/rugby/article1626333.ece Times profile]