Cornish Pirates

PLAYER PROFILE / Luke Collins - Lock 2009/10
	D.O.B 30th June 1982 Nationality Cornish Birthplace Truro Height 6' 6" Weight 19st (120 kg) Position Lock Previous clubs Redruth, Gloucester U21s Honours Cornwall, RAF England Counties

 

As the son of former Redruth and Cornwall player Derek Collins, who has been the President of Redruth RFC, it is no surprise to learn that Luke himself started playing for the 'Reds' at the age of seven. Indeed, he was the first player from the club to play for them at each level from U7s up to the first team.

Educated at Redruth Community School, during his time there Luke played for Cornwall Schools and also the England President's XV 16 Group team. Encouragement was always forthcoming from his parents, besides 'mentors' such as Terry Pryor and Simon Blake.

In June, 2001, Luke joined the RAF and duly won the Fittest Recruit Trophy. He represented the RAF and then the Combined Services U21s, playing twice at Twickenham against the England Students team, and in 2002, aged just 19, he was selected to play in the senior Inter Services Tournament. Over a period of five seasons he collected 10 representative caps for the RAF, which was the most available in that time frame.

Selectors from Gloucester spotted Luke when he was playing for Cornwall U20s, and he was invited to join the 'Cherry & Whites' Academy on a full-time basis. The RAF released Luke for his spell in the Academy, which made him the first junior rank ever to be given a sabbatical for sports, and he played for Gloucester U21s.

Leaving the RAF Regiment to pursue a career in the health and fitness industry, Luke re-signed for Redruth in 2006, where he received their 'Most Improved Player' trophy in 2007, and the 'Supporters Player of the Season' award in 2009

Luke is an athletic, yet physical second-row forward who combines pace, strength and good handling ability.

Commenting on being asked to be a part of the Cornish Pirates 'Championship' league squad, he said:

"This will be a fantastic opportunity to pit myself against some of the best players in the new Championship. I am a Cornish lad through and through and to be part of a Cornish side plying at the level is a fantastic opportunity - it one I aim to take to make the Pirates proud."