Raffi Quirke
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18 August 2001
| Born | Raphael Quirke 18 August 2001 Chorlton, England | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Height | 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 85 kg (13 st 5 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | St Ambrose College | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Raffi Quirke (born 18 August 2001) is an English professional rugby union player who plays as a scrum-half for Sale Sharks in the Premiership.[1]
Quirke started playing rugby when he was 5, inspired by his father Saul who coached him through his early years. He was part of a Broughton Park RFC side at U9s level, in which the side went unbeaten while scoring 267 tries.[2][3] Quirke was also a triathlete, following in the footsteps of both of his parents, becoming North-West champion at triathlon when 12 or 13. However, it became increasingly difficult to consider pursuing both rugby and triathlons to a professional level, so he eventually decided to focus on rugby.[2]
He was educated at Saint Ambrose College.[4][5] Quirke of Irish ancestry through a maternal grandparent.[6]
Club career
In 2019 Quirke spent a period on loan to Sale FC in National League One.[2] On 20 February 2021 Quirke made his professional club debut for Sale Sharks in a Premiership game against Harlequins[5][7] and in April of that year he scored his first try for the club in a European Rugby Champions Cup game away to Scarlets.[8]
In January 2026, he signed for Newcastle Red Bulls ahead of the following season.[9]
International career
Quirke represented England at both U16 and U18 level, scoring two tries against Wales for the under-16 squad.[4] In 2018 he toured South Africa with the under-18 squad[4] and scored a try in the defeat against France.[10] Quirke was subsequently selected for the under-20 squad although did not participate in any of their fixtures.[2]
In September 2021 coach Eddie Jones included Quirke in the senior England squad for a training camp.[11] On 13 November 2021 Quirke made his Test debut for England, coming on as a replacement for Ben Youngs in the 72nd minute against Australia in the Autumn Nations Series, a game which England won 32–15.[12] In doing so, he became England's youngest scrum-half since Nick Duncombe in 2002. Quirke then came off the bench in England's final test of the series against South Africa, scoring the winning try in England's 27–26 victory.[13]
Quirke was named in the initial training squad for the 2022 Six Nations Championship.[14]
In January 2025, following injuries to Alex Mitchell and Jack van Poortvliet, he was called into the senior training squad for the 2025 Six Nations.[15]
International tries
- As of 20 November 2021[1]
| Try | Opposing team | Location | Venue | Competition | Date | Result | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  South Africa |
London, England | Twickenham Stadium | 2021 Autumn Nations Series | 20 November 2021 | Win | 27 – 26 |