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Chandler Cunningham-South

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Chandler Cunningham-South
Cunningham-South in 2022
Date of birth (2003-03-18) 18 March 2003 (age 21)
Place of birthSidcup, England
Height1.93 m (6 ft 4 in)[1]
Weight120 kg (265 lb; 18 st 13 lb)
SchoolHamilton Boys' High School Westlake Boys High School
UniversityLincoln University
Rugby union career
Position(s) Flanker, Number 8, Lock
Current team Harlequins
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2022–2023 London Irish 25 (15)
2023– Harlequins 21 (10)
Correct as of 2 November 2024
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2022–2023 England U20 14 (15)
2024– England 9 (15)
Correct as of 9 November 2024

Chandler Cunningham-South (born 18 March 2003) is an English professional rugby union player who plays as a flanker for Premiership Rugby club Harlequins and the England national team.[2]

Early life

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Cunningham-South was born in Sidcup and at the age of four his family emigrated to New Zealand. His family have a farm holding in Wellsford, north of Auckland. His father, Richard, once coached him for Silverdale RFC. He did most of his ground work at Hamilton Boys' High School and attended Westlake Boys High School.[3][4]

Cunningham-South played for the North Harbour under-18s, Canterbury under-19s and Lincoln University in Christchurch, and trained with NZ Warriors in Rugby League.[3][5]

Club career

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In February 2022 Cunningham-South joined the London Irish academy.[6][7] He made his senior club debut in May 2022 and went on to make nineteen Premiership appearances during the 2022–2023 season, scoring three tries.[7][8]

In the summer of 2023 London Irish encountered financial issues and in June 2023 it was confirmed that Cunningham-South would leave for Harlequins.[7][9]

In April 2024, he put in a standout performance in Harlequins 42-41 defeat of Bordeaux Bègles. It was only the second time overall and the first time away that the club had won a knockout stage game in the European Champions Cup reaching the semi finals for the first time.[10] In May 2024, he was nominated for the Premiership Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Season Award.[11]

International career

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Cunningham-South represented England U20 during the 2022 Under-20 Six Nations.[12][13] The following year saw him score a try in the opening round of the 2023 tournament victory over Scotland.[14] He was a member of the squad that recorded a fourth place finish at the 2023 World Rugby U20 Championship and scored a try in the semi-final defeat against France.[15]

Cunningham-South received his first call-up to the senior England squad for the 2024 Six Nations Championship.[16] On 3 February 2024 he made his Test debut coming off the bench as a second-half replacement for Sam Underhill in the opening round of the tournament against Italy at Stadio Olimpico.[17] He made his first test start against Japan on 22 June 2024, and scored the opening try in a 52-17 win.[18] In November 2024, he scored twice in a loss against Australia in the 2024 autumn nations series.[19]

References

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  1. ^ "Chandler Cunningham-South". All.Rugby. Retrieved 17 June 2023.
  2. ^ "Chandler Cunningham-South". London Irish. Retrieved 17 June 2023.
  3. ^ a b Morgan, Charlie (17 February 2023). "Chandler Cunningham-South: 'I'm getting paid to hit people – it's the best job in the world'". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 30 July 2023.
  4. ^ Lowe, Alex (16 December 2023). "Chandler Cunningham-South: From 'lazy' Kiwi to next Courtney Lawes". The Times. Retrieved 16 December 2023.
  5. ^ Heagney, Liam (23 October 2022). "The 'cheery, jolly' 20-year-old Kiwi making rapid strides at Irish". Rugby Pass. Retrieved 17 June 2023.
  6. ^ Evely, John (16 June 2023). "Exeter Chiefs linked with move to sign London Irish's rising star of English rugby". Devon Live. Retrieved 17 June 2023.
  7. ^ a b c "Lovejoy Chawatama, Chandler Cunningham-South & Will Joseph: Harlequins sign former London Irish trio". BBC Sport. 22 June 2023. Retrieved 30 July 2023.
  8. ^ Rees, Paul (23 October 2022). "Cunningham-South adding to his reputation". The Rugby Paper. Retrieved 17 June 2023.
  9. ^ "Berkshire RFU and Rams RFC chairman 'saddened' by London Irish's administration". Wokingham.today. 16 June 2023. Retrieved 17 June 2023.
  10. ^ "Investec Champions Cup: Bordeaux 41-42 Harlequins - Quins win thriller to reach semi-finals". BBC Sport. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
  11. ^ "Lawes, Smith, Russell & Slade on awards shortlist". 20 May 2024. Retrieved 22 May 2024.
  12. ^ Russell, Charles (29 January 2023). "Chandler Cunningham-South gives Steve Borthwick view into future with brutish display". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 17 June 2023.
  13. ^ "Under-20 Six Nations: England U20s 43-14 Wales U20s". BBC Sport. 25 February 2022. Retrieved 30 July 2023.
  14. ^ "Under-20 Six Nations: England U20s 41-36 Scotland U20s". Sky Sports. 3 February 2023. Retrieved 30 July 2023.
  15. ^ Coles, Ben (10 July 2023). "England's next generation: The U20 stars of tomorrow who could break into Steve Borthwick's squad". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 30 July 2023.
  16. ^ "England Six Nations squad: Jamie George captain, Billy Vunipola & Kyle Sinckler dropped". BBC Sport. 17 January 2024. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
  17. ^ Telfer, Alastair (3 February 2024). "Six Nations 2024: 'Brilliant England careers' ahead for five Rome debutants, says Steve Borthwick". BBC Sport. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
  18. ^ "Smith stars as England cruise past Japan in Tokyo". BBC Sport. 22 June 2024. Retrieved 22 June 2024.
  19. ^ Henson, Mike. "Australia beat England with last-gasp try". BBC Sport. Retrieved 9 November 2024.
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