Jordan Crane (rugby player)
Encyclopedia
Jordan Crane is a professional Rugby Union
player, who currently plays for Leicester Tigers
having moved from Leeds Tykes
at the end of the 2005–06 season. Crane has also played internationally for England
.
Crane is renowned for his impressive physique and powerful runs from the base of the scrum. He consistently ranks as one of the most frequent carriers of the ball in English club rugby.
, in the 9-all draw at FC Grenoble
in the European Challenge Cup
in October 2004 aged just 18. He went on to make 29 appearances for the Tykes in all competitions scoring five tries, including a hat trick against Valladolid RAC
in the European Challenge Cup.
After Leeds were relegated in the 2005–06 season, Crane left the club to sign for the Leicester Tigers
.
on 3 May 2009, Crane scored the winning kick in the penalty shootout after the game had finished level after extra time. It was the first time a Heineken Cup tie had been decided in a shootout. Crane started in the subsequent 2009 Heineken Cup Final
. Crane scored the only try in the final of the 2008–09 Guinness Premiership.
, and he was an ever-present in their successful U21 Grand Slam campaign. This was his second successive age group Grand Slam, as he had captained England’s U19 side to success the season before. Crane has also captained England at U18 level and took over the leadership role when his new team-mate, Matt Cornwell
, was injured during the 2006 IRB U21 World Cup in France
, fulfilling the promise shown when competing for Colston’s College in the final of the Daily Mail U18 Cup
competition at Twickenham
.
Crane was selected in the England Saxons
squad for the 2006–2007 season, and went on to compete at the 2007 Churchill Cup
. Crane also played in the 2008 Churchill Cup
, winning the tournament’s Most Valuable Player award.
On 1 June 2008 he was named in Martin Johnson's Elite Player Squad and made his debut as a replacement against . He was returned to the Saxons squad when Johnson chose to retain Nick Easter
for the 2009 Six Nations. Crane won his second cap against Argentina
at Old Trafford
.
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, who currently plays 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...
having moved from Leeds Tykes
Leeds Tykes
Leeds Carnegie is an English rugby union club, based in Leeds, West Yorkshire, currently playing in the RFU Championship. In recent years, they have bounced between the Premiership and the second-level National Division One, now known as the RFU Championship; they were either promoted or relegated...
at the end of the 2005–06 season. Crane has also played internationally for England
England national rugby union team
The England national rugby union team represents England in rugby union. They compete in the annual Six Nations Championship with France, Ireland, Scotland, Italy, and Wales. They have won this championship on 26 occasions, 12 times winning the Grand Slam, making them the most successful team in...
.
Crane is renowned for his impressive physique and powerful runs from the base of the scrum. He consistently ranks as one of the most frequent carriers of the ball in English club rugby.
Leeds Tykes 2004–06
Crane made his debut for his former club, Leeds TykesLeeds Tykes
Leeds Carnegie is an English rugby union club, based in Leeds, West Yorkshire, currently playing in the RFU Championship. In recent years, they have bounced between the Premiership and the second-level National Division One, now known as the RFU Championship; they were either promoted or relegated...
, in the 9-all draw at FC Grenoble
FC Grenoble
Football Club de Grenoble Alpes Rugby is a French rugby union club which, until recently, competed in the top level of the French league system. They play at Stade Lesdiguières . They wear red and blue.-History:...
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...
in October 2004 aged just 18. He went on to make 29 appearances for the Tykes in all competitions scoring five tries, including a hat trick against Valladolid RAC
Valladolid RAC
Valladolid Rugby Asociación Club is a Spanish rugby union club. The club was established in 1986 and currently competes in the División de Honor de Rugby competition, the highest level of Spaish club rugby. The club are based in Valladolid in central Spain. VRAC play in blue and white colours. The...
in the European Challenge Cup.
After Leeds were relegated in the 2005–06 season, Crane left the club to sign for the 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...
.
Leicester Tigers 2006–present
In the Heineken Cup semi final against Cardiff BluesCardiff Blues
Cardiff Blues are one of the four professional Welsh regional rugby union teams. Based in Cardiff, the capital of Wales, the team have played at Cardiff City Stadium since the start of the 2009/2010 season and are owned by Cardiff Rugby Football Club....
on 3 May 2009, Crane scored the winning kick in the penalty shootout after the game had finished level after extra time. It was the first time a Heineken Cup tie had been decided in a shootout. Crane started in the subsequent 2009 Heineken Cup Final
2009 Heineken Cup Final
The 2009 Heineken Cup Final was the final match of the 2008–09 Heineken Cup, the 14th season of Europe's top club rugby union competition. The match was played on 23 May 2009 at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh; this was the second time that the Heineken Cup final had been held at Murrayfield after...
. Crane scored the only try in the final of the 2008–09 Guinness Premiership.
International career
Crane made his U21 debut in February 2006 scoring a try against Wales at WorcesterSixways Stadium
Sixways Stadium is a stadium in Worcester, England. It is currently used mostly for rugby union matches and is the home stadium of Worcester Rugby Football Club. The stadium is able to hold 12,068. It opened in 1975 and is located off junction 6 of the M5 motorway, hence the name Sixways.An...
, and he was an ever-present in their successful U21 Grand Slam campaign. This was his second successive age group Grand Slam, as he had captained England’s U19 side to success the season before. Crane has also captained England at U18 level and took over the leadership role when his new team-mate, Matt Cornwell
Matt Cornwell
Matt Cornwell is a rugby union player for Northampton Saints in the Aviva Premiership.He previously played for Leicester Tigers and the Exeter Chiefs.Cornwell usually plays as a centre or full-back....
, was injured during the 2006 IRB U21 World Cup in France
2006 Under 21 Rugby World Championship
The 2006 Under 21 Rugby World Championship was played in the Auvergne region of France throughout June 2006. The final was played between South Africa and France at the Parc des Sports Marcel Michelin in Clermont-Ferrand, which saw France win 24 to 13....
, fulfilling the promise shown when competing for Colston’s College in the final of the Daily Mail U18 Cup
Daily Mail Cup
The Daily Mail RBS Cup is the annual English schools' rugby union cup competition. The semi-finals are now held at Broadstreet Rugby Club. The final is held at Twickenham Stadium. Competitions are held at the U18 and U15 age group levels...
competition at Twickenham
Twickenham Stadium
Twickenham Stadium is a stadium located in Twickenham, in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. It is the largest rugby union stadium in the United Kingdom and has recently been enlarged to seat 82,000...
.
Crane was selected in 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...
squad for the 2006–2007 season, and went on to compete at the 2007 Churchill Cup
2007 Churchill Cup
The 2007 Churchill Cup was held from May 18 to June 2, 2007. It was the fifth year of the Churchill Cup. Six rugby union teams took part: Canada, England Saxons, Ireland A, New Zealand Māori, Scotland A, and the USA.-Format:...
. Crane also played in the 2008 Churchill Cup
2008 Churchill Cup
The 2008 Churchill Cup took place between 7 June and 21 June 2008 in what was the sixth year of the tournament. Six rugby union teams took part: , England Saxons, Ireland A, Scotland A, the , and an Argentinian XV.-Participation:...
, winning the tournament’s Most Valuable Player award.
On 1 June 2008 he was named in Martin Johnson's Elite Player Squad and made his debut as a replacement against . He was returned to the Saxons squad when Johnson chose to retain Nick Easter
Nick Easter
Nick Easter is a rugby union rugby player who plays at No. 8 or Flanker for Harlequins and England.He is the brother of Sale Sharks player Mark Easter and the nephew of author Anne Easter Smith. His father John, played squash professionally and reached number 1 in Britain and No.9 in the world...
for the 2009 Six Nations. Crane won his second cap against 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...
at Old Trafford
Old Trafford
Old Trafford commonly refers to two sporting arenas:* Old Trafford, home of Manchester United F.C.* Old Trafford Cricket Ground, home of Lancashire County Cricket ClubOld Trafford can also refer to:...
.