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Raffi Quirke

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Raffi Quirke
BornRaphael Quirke
(2001-08-18) 18 August 2001 (age 24)
Chorlton, England
Height1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Weight85 kg (13 st 5 lb)
SchoolSt Ambrose College
Rugby union career
Position Scrum-half
Current team Newcastle Red Bulls
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2018–2026 Sale Sharks 87 (65)
2026– Newcastle Red Bulls 0 (0)
Correct as of 7 June 2026
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2018–2019 England U18 8 (15)
2021– England 2 (5)
Correct as of 30 March 2026

Raffi Quirke (born 18 August 2001) is an English professional rugby union player who plays as a scrum-half for PREM Rugby club Newcastle Red Bulls.[1]

Early life

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Quirke started playing rugby when he was 5, inspired by his father Saul who coached him through his early years. He was part of a Broughton Park RFC side at U9s level, in which the side went unbeaten while scoring 267 tries.[2][3] Quirke was also a triathlete, following in the footsteps of both of his parents, becoming North-West champion at triathlon when 12 or 13. However, it became increasingly difficult to consider pursuing both rugby and triathlons to a professional level, so he eventually decided to focus on rugby.[2]

Quirke was educated at Saint Ambrose College.[4][5] He of Irish ancestry through a maternal grandparent.[6]

Club career

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In 2019 Quirke spent a period on loan to Sale FC in National League One.[2] On 20 February 2021 Quirke made his professional club debut for Sale Sharks in a Premiership game against Harlequins.[5][7] Later that season in April he scored his first try for the club in a European Rugby Champions Cup game away to Scarlets.[8] Quirke played in the 2023 Premiership final which Sale lost against Saracens to finish league runners-up.[9]

In January 2026, Quirke signed for Newcastle Red Bulls ahead of the following season.[10]

International career

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Quirke represented England at both U16 and U18 level, scoring two tries against Wales for the under-16 squad.[4] In 2018 he toured South Africa with the under-18 squad[4] and scored a try in the defeat against France.[11] Quirke was subsequently selected for the under-20 squad although did not participate in any of their fixtures.[2]

In September 2021 coach Eddie Jones included Quirke in the senior England squad for a training camp.[12] On 13 November 2021 Quirke made his Test debut for England, coming on as a replacement for Ben Youngs in the 72nd minute against Australia in the Autumn Nations Series, a game which England won 32–15.[13] In doing so, he became England's youngest scrum-half since Nick Duncombe in 2002. Quirke then came off the bench in England's final test of the series against South Africa, scoring the winning try in England's 27–26 victory.[14]

Quirke was named in the initial training squad for the 2022 Six Nations Championship.[15] In January 2025, following injuries to Alex Mitchell and Jack van Poortvliet, he was called into the senior training squad for the 2025 Six Nations.[16]

International tries

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As of 20 November 2021[1]
Try Opposing team Location Venue Competition Date Result Score
1  South Africa London, England Twickenham Stadium 2021 Autumn Nations Series 20 November 2021 Win 27 – 26

Personal life

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As a keen outdoors sports fan, Quirke also enjoys middle-distance running, cross country running, swimming, and cycling. In his music tastes, Quirke enjoys Hip-hop, Rhythm and Blues, reggae and rock, with his favourite artist being Bob Marley. Quirke is also a fan of Manchester United.[3] He returns to Saint Ambrose to help coach the younger players.

References

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  1. 1 2 "ESPN profile:Raffi Quirke". ESPN. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Harvey, Neale (14 February 2020). "Young Guns: Sale Sharks scrum-half Raphael Quirke". The Rugby Paper. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
  3. 1 2 "RFU". www.englandrugby.com. Archived from the original on 5 March 2021. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
  4. 1 2 3 "SHARKS SECURE SIGNATURES OF 4 PROMISING YOUNGSTERS". Sale Sharks. 27 November 2018. Archived from the original on 21 September 2021. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
  5. 1 2 Ostick, Chris (14 October 2021). "Rising star Raffi Quirke admits to big miss as Sale Sharks contend with injury absences". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 25 November 2021.
  6. ↑ Richardson, Charles (6 April 2021). "England consider call-up for unknown Sale prop Bevan Rodd". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 25 November 2021.
  7. ↑ Diamond, Sam (20 February 2021). "Match Report: Harlequins 24 Sale Sharks 12". Sale Sharks. Archived from the original on 1 November 2021. Retrieved 25 November 2021.
  8. ↑ "Heineken Champions Cup: Scarlets 14-57 Sale". BBC Sport. 4 April 2021. Retrieved 25 November 2021.
  9. ↑ Hurcom, Sophie (27 May 2023). "Premiership final: Saracens 35-25 Sale - Sarries win sixth title in Twickenham thriller". BBC Sport. Retrieved 22 July 2026.
  10. ↑ "'Shaking up old order' - Newcastle sign Sale's Quirke". BBC Sport. 14 January 2026. Retrieved 15 January 2026.
  11. ↑ Lawton, Andrew (11 August 2018). "England defeated by France in U18 International series opener". Premiership Rugby. Retrieved 25 November 2021.
  12. ↑ Jones, Chris (21 September 2021). "Louis Lynagh called up by England - Billy & Mako Vunipola plus George Ford left out". BBC Sport. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
  13. ↑ Latham-Coyle, Harry (13 November 2021). "England vs Australia LIVE: Rugby result, final score and reaction from 2021 Autumn internationals". The Independent. Retrieved 25 November 2021.
  14. ↑ Henson, Mike (20 November 2021). "England clinch dramatic 27-26 win over South Africa at Twickenham". BBC Sport. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  15. ↑ "RFU". www.englandrugby.com. Archived from the original on 18 January 2022. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
  16. ↑ "George out of Six Nations opener & Mitchell a doubt". BBC Sport. 21 January 2025. Retrieved 21 January 2025.
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