Dan
is the longest serving present member of the Cornish Pirates squad, making his
debut for us on the 1st September, 2001, an occasion when we beat Blackheath 58-15
at the Mennaye Field.
A
Frome boy, he started playing rugby for the Somerset town club at the age of six,
and also played a little football as a goalkeeper - his dad Tony had played soccer
for Maiden Bradley.
On
leaving Frome Community College at the age of 16, Dan trained to become a mechanic
and continued playing rugby for Frome, a club where his brother Chris plays and
that has also produced Northampton Saints centre Jon Clarke.
After
being 'spotted' playing for Somerset Colts at the age of 18, Dan was invited to
play for the Bath U19s team, coached then by former Pirates hooker John Kimberley.
He then progressed to the U21s team, coached by Jon Callard, playing also for
South-West U21s before his move to the Pirates.
Quietly
efficient, Dan has now played a total of 161 games for the club, more than any
other member of the squad, and he has also played six times for Cornwall (2004-06).
Sound
at the scrummage, he comes into his own in loose play, and has good hands and
mobility which also enables him to be effective at the tackle area. His impact
as a replacement when we beat Exeter Chiefs in the 2007 EDF Energy National Trophy
final at Twickenham was immense, helping to turn the screw on our opponents with
vengeance as they wilted in the sun.
Improving
year by year, Dan's contribution to our success has been considerable, with support
always given by his family. At the top of his game, with the ability to play at
a high level for a good few years yet, his ambition is to play in the Premiership.
