Anthony Allen (rugby player)
Encyclopedia
Anthony Allen is an English
rugby union
player. He is currently playing in the Guinness Premiership
for Leicester Tigers
. He plays as a centre.
at the age of 13, where he was a member of Devine House. He was a member of the Clayesmore 1st XVs from year 11, effectively playing two years above his age-group.
with some fantastic tries. He made his first team debut in Gloucester's Anglo Welsh Cup match against Bristol, which Gloucester won 34–6. Allen scored his first try for Gloucester in their 106–3 demolition of Bucuresti. His first Guinness Premiership
try came 2 weeks later against Leicester
at Welford Road
. A glorious try against Worcester Warriors helped Gloucester to the European Challenge Cup
Final. During his first season with Gloucester, Allen summed up his tremendous talent with a glorious brace of tries against London Wasps. He also played an important role in the defeat of London Irish
in the European Challenge Cup
Final.
at Kingsholm, where he scored two tries in defeat, was a catalyst for his call up. On 28 November 2006, Allen signed a 2 year extension to his contract. He came back from national duty and continued his great form for Gloucester with 3 tries in 3 games in December. Allen finished the season with 9 tries including one in Gloucester's semi-final victory against Saracens
. He was also voted the young player of the season by Gloucester's fans. Unfortunately for Allen and Gloucester they suffered defeat at the hands of Leicester
in the Guinness Premiership
final.
. Tries against Ospreys and Bourgoin
in the Heineken Cup
helped Gloucester to the quarter-finals. Allen was one of the key players for Gloucester starting 29 games, more than anybody else in the squad. As well as Allen's obvious talent for breaking tackles and scoring tries his immense tackling plays a vital role to the team.
at outside centre. The arrival of Olly Barkley
from Bath
will present a higher level of competition for Allen than in previous seasons. On the opening day of the season, Allen suffered an injury against Leicester
which kept him out for 2 months. He returned in November against Saracens
and his try in this game helped Gloucester to a win at Vicarage Road
. Gloucester ended the season disappointingly and Allen moved to Leicester
for the 2009/10 season.
, Allen was faced with breaking into a first-choice centre pairing of Aaron Mauger
and Dan Hipkiss
. However, his ability to cover both positions and a series of injuries to his rivals allowed him to quickly establish himself in the side. Before long, he was a first choice centre and he marked his debut season at the club with the first major trophy of his career as Leicester won the Guinness Premiership final against Saracens. He finished the season with 6 tries in 28 games in all competitions.
. Allen put in a series of solid performances - both in attack and defence - that earned no international recognition, but saw him named as the Player's Player of the Season and scorer of Try of the Season for his solo score against Bath.
' Jamie Noon
in the centre Allen received multiple stitches in his mouth halfway through that first half after being hit in the face by his New Zealand opposite number, but Allen was dropped after they lost 25–18 to Argentina
.
He was an integral part of the England Saxons
sides that won the Churchill cup in Canada / USA 2008 and again in 2010.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
rugby union
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
player. He is currently playing in the Guinness Premiership
Guinness Premiership
The English Premiership, also currently known as the Aviva Premiership because of the league's sponsorship by Aviva, is a professional league competition for rugby union football clubs in the top division of the English rugby system. There are twelve clubs in the Premiership...
for Leicester Tigers
Leicester Tigers
Leicester Tigers is an English rugby union club that plays in the Aviva Premiership.Leicester are the most successful English club since the introduction of league rugby in 1987, a record 9 times English champions - 3 more than either Bath or Wasps, the last of which was in 2010...
. He plays as a centre.
Youth
As a youth he played his rugby at Trojans R.F.C in Hampshire. Then, in 1999 Allen toured South Africa with the South England School Boys side, Beating Natal 20–22. In the middle of the tour Allen was hospitalized with food poisoning, missing the end of the Tour. In 2000 Allen Won the Hampshire Cup with the Trojans Under 13 side, whilst attending Boundary Oak School at Roche Court, just outside Fareham. From there he moved on to Clayesmore SchoolClayesmore School
Clayesmore School is an independent school for boys and girls of the English public school tradition in the village of Iwerne Minster, Dorset, England. It is a member of The Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference ....
at the age of 13, where he was a member of Devine House. He was a member of the Clayesmore 1st XVs from year 11, effectively playing two years above his age-group.
2005–06
In 2005, Allen joined Gloucester straight from Millfield School. At the start of the season, Allen helped Gloucester to triumph in the Middlesex 7sMiddlesex 7s
The Middlesex Sevens is a rugby union sevens tournament held annually at Twickenham stadium in London, England. It was first held in 1926, and started by Dr J.A. Russell-Cargill, a London based Scot...
with some fantastic tries. He made his first team debut in Gloucester's Anglo Welsh Cup match against Bristol, which Gloucester won 34–6. Allen scored his first try for Gloucester in their 106–3 demolition of Bucuresti. His first Guinness Premiership
Guinness Premiership
The English Premiership, also currently known as the Aviva Premiership because of the league's sponsorship by Aviva, is a professional league competition for rugby union football clubs in the top division of the English rugby system. There are twelve clubs in the Premiership...
try came 2 weeks later against Leicester
Leicester Tigers
Leicester Tigers is an English rugby union club that plays in the Aviva Premiership.Leicester are the most successful English club since the introduction of league rugby in 1987, a record 9 times English champions - 3 more than either Bath or Wasps, the last of which was in 2010...
at Welford Road
Welford Road Stadium
Welford Road is a rugby union stadium in Leicester, England and is the home ground for Leicester Tigers. It is located between Aylestone Road and Welford Road on the edge of the city centre...
. A glorious try against Worcester Warriors helped Gloucester to the European Challenge Cup
European Challenge Cup
The European Challenge Cup, currently known for sponsorship reasons as the Amlin Challenge Cup, is one of two annual rugby union competitions organised by European Rugby Cup. The cup was known as the Parker Pen Shield from 2001 to 2003 and Parker Pen Challenge Cup from 2003 to 2005. The European...
Final. During his first season with Gloucester, Allen summed up his tremendous talent with a glorious brace of tries against London Wasps. He also played an important role in the defeat of London Irish
London Irish
London Irish RFC is an English rugby union club based in Sunbury, Surrey, where the senior squad train, the youth teams and senior academy play home games, and the club maintain their administrative offices. The senior squad play home games at the Madejski Stadium in Reading and compete in the top...
in the European Challenge Cup
European Challenge Cup
The European Challenge Cup, currently known for sponsorship reasons as the Amlin Challenge Cup, is one of two annual rugby union competitions organised by European Rugby Cup. The cup was known as the Parker Pen Shield from 2001 to 2003 and Parker Pen Challenge Cup from 2003 to 2005. The European...
Final.
2006–07
After a great start to the season England came calling for Allen. His performance against AgenSU Agen Lot-et-Garonne
Sporting Union Agen Lot-et-Garonne is a French rugby union club based in Agen in the department of Lot-et-Garonne. They currently play in the top flight of French professional rugby, Top 14; they were most recently promoted after winning the 2010 title in the second-level Pro D2. Agen also...
at Kingsholm, where he scored two tries in defeat, was a catalyst for his call up. On 28 November 2006, Allen signed a 2 year extension to his contract. He came back from national duty and continued his great form for Gloucester with 3 tries in 3 games in December. Allen finished the season with 9 tries including one in Gloucester's semi-final victory against Saracens
Saracens F.C.
Saracens are a professional rugby union team based in St. Albans, England – although they play their home games at Vicarage Road, in Watford. They are currently members of the Aviva Premiership, the top level of domestic rugby union in England...
. He was also voted the young player of the season by Gloucester's fans. Unfortunately for Allen and Gloucester they suffered defeat at the hands of Leicester
Leicester Tigers
Leicester Tigers is an English rugby union club that plays in the Aviva Premiership.Leicester are the most successful English club since the introduction of league rugby in 1987, a record 9 times English champions - 3 more than either Bath or Wasps, the last of which was in 2010...
in the Guinness Premiership
Guinness Premiership
The English Premiership, also currently known as the Aviva Premiership because of the league's sponsorship by Aviva, is a professional league competition for rugby union football clubs in the top division of the English rugby system. There are twelve clubs in the Premiership...
final.
2007–08
Allen started the season fantastically with 2 tries in the opening 2 weeks against Leeds Carnegie and SaracensSaracens F.C.
Saracens are a professional rugby union team based in St. Albans, England – although they play their home games at Vicarage Road, in Watford. They are currently members of the Aviva Premiership, the top level of domestic rugby union in England...
. Tries against Ospreys and Bourgoin
Bourgoin-Jallieu
Bourgoin-Jallieu is a commune in the Isère department of south-eastern France.It lies 35 kilometres to the east-southeast of the city of Lyon. Its inhabitants are called Berjalliens.-Geography:...
in the Heineken Cup
Heineken Cup
The Heineken Cup is one of two annual rugby union competitions organised by European Rugby Cup involving leading club, regional and provincial teams from the six International Rugby Board countries in Europe whose national teams compete in the Six Nations Championship: England, France, Ireland,...
helped Gloucester to the quarter-finals. Allen was one of the key players for Gloucester starting 29 games, more than anybody else in the squad. As well as Allen's obvious talent for breaking tackles and scoring tries his immense tackling plays a vital role to the team.
2008–09
Allen is now in his 4th season playing for Gloucester and he has firmly established himself as first choice inside centre alongside Mike TindallMike Tindall
Michael James Tindall, MBE is an English rugby player who plays outside centre for Gloucester Rugby and has captained the England team...
at outside centre. The arrival of Olly Barkley
Olly Barkley
Oliver John Barkley is an English rugby union player who plays at fly-half or centre for Bath and England. Uniquely, Barkley played for his country before making his full senior club début.-Early career:...
from Bath
Bath Rugby
Bath Rugby is an English professional rugby union club that is based in the city of Bath. They play in the Aviva Premiership league...
will present a higher level of competition for Allen than in previous seasons. On the opening day of the season, Allen suffered an injury against Leicester
Leicester Tigers
Leicester Tigers is an English rugby union club that plays in the Aviva Premiership.Leicester are the most successful English club since the introduction of league rugby in 1987, a record 9 times English champions - 3 more than either Bath or Wasps, the last of which was in 2010...
which kept him out for 2 months. He returned in November against Saracens
Saracens F.C.
Saracens are a professional rugby union team based in St. Albans, England – although they play their home games at Vicarage Road, in Watford. They are currently members of the Aviva Premiership, the top level of domestic rugby union in England...
and his try in this game helped Gloucester to a win at Vicarage Road
Vicarage Road
Vicarage Road, a stadium in Watford, Hertfordshire, England, is the home of the football club Watford and their tenants, the Saracens rugby union club. An all-seater stadium, its current capacity is 17,477.-History:...
. Gloucester ended the season disappointingly and Allen moved to Leicester
Leicester Tigers
Leicester Tigers is an English rugby union club that plays in the Aviva Premiership.Leicester are the most successful English club since the introduction of league rugby in 1987, a record 9 times English champions - 3 more than either Bath or Wasps, the last of which was in 2010...
for the 2009/10 season.
2009–10
In his first season at LeicesterLeicester Tigers
Leicester Tigers is an English rugby union club that plays in the Aviva Premiership.Leicester are the most successful English club since the introduction of league rugby in 1987, a record 9 times English champions - 3 more than either Bath or Wasps, the last of which was in 2010...
, Allen was faced with breaking into a first-choice centre pairing of Aaron Mauger
Aaron Mauger
Aaron Joseph Douglas Mauger is a former rugby union player who played at centre for Leicester Tigers. He previously played first five-eighths and second five-eighths for Canterbury , the Crusaders and the New Zealand All Blacks...
and Dan Hipkiss
Dan Hipkiss
Daniel James Hipkiss is a professional Rugby Union player who currently plays at Centre for Bath Rugby. Hipkiss has represented England at U16, U17, U18, U21 and England A. His full England début came versus Wales in a World Cup warm up match at Twickenham on 4 August 2007.He went to school at...
. However, his ability to cover both positions and a series of injuries to his rivals allowed him to quickly establish himself in the side. Before long, he was a first choice centre and he marked his debut season at the club with the first major trophy of his career as Leicester won the Guinness Premiership final against Saracens. He finished the season with 6 tries in 28 games in all competitions.
2010-11
His second season saw Allen as Leicester's first-choice inside centre alongside the teenage Manu TuilagiManu Tuilagi
Manu Samoa Tuilagi is a Samoan born British professional rugby union player who currently plays for Aviva Premiership side Leicester Tigers...
. Allen put in a series of solid performances - both in attack and defence - that earned no international recognition, but saw him named as the Player's Player of the Season and scorer of Try of the Season for his solo score against Bath.
England
He made his England debut against New Zealand on 5 November 2006, partnering Newcastle FalconsNewcastle Falcons
The Newcastle Falcons is an English rugby union team currently playing in the Aviva Premiership. The club was established in 1877 and played under the name of Gosforth Football Club until 1990. The name was then changed to Newcastle Gosforth and the club began to play at Kingston Park stadium in...
' Jamie Noon
Jamie Noon
Jamie Darren Noon is a rugby union footballer who plays at centre for CA Brive.-Career:Hard-running centre Noon joined the Falcons in the 1998/9 season, after a letter from one of his school teachers alerted the club to a player who had been totally missed by the representative rugby system in...
in the centre Allen received multiple stitches in his mouth halfway through that first half after being hit in the face by his New Zealand opposite number, but Allen was dropped after they lost 25–18 to Argentina
Argentina national rugby union team
The Argentina national rugby team, nicknamed Los Pumas, represents Argentina in international rugby union matches. The team, which plays in sky blue and white jerseys, is organised by the Argentine Rugby Union .Argentina played its first international rugby match in 1910 against a touring British...
.
He was an integral part of the England Saxons
England Saxons
England Saxons is the current name of England's men's second national rugby union team. The team has previously been known by a number of names, such as England B, Emerging England and, most recently, England A...
sides that won the Churchill cup in Canada / USA 2008 and again in 2010.