DARREN CAVE
Centre
Personal information
Date of birth
5 April 1987 (age 27)
Place of birth
Holywood, Northern Ireland
Height
6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight
15 st 3 lb (97 kg)
Played138
Points137
School(s) attended
Sullivan Upper School , Holywood Primary School
Club information
Senior clubs
Club
Apps (points)
2005 – Present Belfast Harlequins
2007 – Present Ulster Rugby -
2009 – Present Ireland A 10
Ireland 6 (5)
Player Biog
A real attacking talent, Darren was another young player who
has come up through the Ulster Academy system and upgraded his development
contract to a full contract with Ulster ahead of the start of the 2008–09
season.
He is a strong runner and tackling centre who has made a
rapid progression at international level, having won the Grand Slam with the
Ireland Under-20s in 2007, starred in Ireland's Rugby World Cup Sevens
qualification and he has represented Ireland 'A' as they won the Churchill Cup
2009.He became a very important player for Ulster to sell their academy even at
this early stage.He looked like one to look out for but seems to be a squad player for Ireland.
Cave became very unlucky as in 2010/11 he struggled with
injuries but returned towards the end of the season and scored some vital tries
as Ulster reached the quarter-finals of the Heineken Cup and semi-finals of the
Magners League. Cave showed excellent form on his return to action but picked up
another injury in early 2012. I have seen sports players ruined by their
careers but he seems to be one that comes back a lot which is a Good quality.
In 2010/11 he struggled with injuries but returned towards
the end of the season and scored some vital tries as Ulster reached the
quarter-finals of the Heineken Cup and semi-finals of the Magners League. He is
beginning to show that he has the potential to be one of the best for both his
club and country.
He scored five tries the following season and was a
stand-out player for the province as Ulster won all six of their Heineken Cup
Pool matches and reached the RaboDirect PRO12 Play Off.
Cave showed excellent form on his return to action but
picked up another injury in early 2012, just as he looked likely to be included
in Ireland's Six Nations squad. He is quite unlucky in this area of injuries
and needs to be able to take better care both before and after training.
He made another magnificent comeback as Ulster made the
Heineken Cup final for just the second time in their history. His form was
recognised with an international call up for the summer tour to New Zealand in
June 2012.
In the 2012/13 campaign, Cave was ever-present as Ulster
reached the final of the RaboDirect PRO12 and recorded a series of notable
firsts including winning in France and beating every Welsh region in Wales.
Cave has agreed a new two-year deal with Ulster in December
2012, keeping him at the Irish province until the summer of 2015. He told
Ulster's website: "Signing this new contract was probably the easiest
decision that I have ever made in my life, especially at a time when the team
have just won 12 competitive matches in a row. Cave will be an important part
of the future at Ulster.
For Ulster cave is a very important player and can change a
game from time to time but getting over his injuries are so important for him.
International career
The former Sullivan Upper pupil, was included in Ireland's
extended 2009 RBS 6 Nations squad and won his first international cap against
Canada in May 2009.
As he looked likely
to be included in Ireland's Six Nations squad. He made another magnificent
comeback as Ulster made the Heineken Cup final for just the second time in
their history, but they lost to Leinster in the 2012 Heineken Cup Final, 42-14.This might be the closest to a medal he will ever get
He played for Ireland against Fiji in the Autumn of 2012,
scoring a brilliant individual try. He also toured North America with Ireland
the following summer. He should be looking to a place in the 2015 world cup
squad.
His form was rewarded with a place on the Ireland tour to
Argentina where he played in both test matches. I do not think that he will ever get a run at Ireland duty which I feel is unfair as he is worth looking at.
Cave was included in Ireland's extended 2009 RBS 6 Nations
squad His form was recognised with an
International call up for the summer tour to New Zealand in June 2012 where he
won his 3rd cap and he then scored a try for an Ireland XV side that played
Fiji at Thomond Park on November 17, 2012. On Sunday 19 May 2013 Cave was named
in the Ireland squad for their US and Canada summer tour and played in both
matches, scoring a try vs Canada match. To date he currently has five caps for
Ireland.
Cave should be a much more important player in the Ireland
team but it does look like he is going to just be a bit player coming off the
bench if he cannot get over his injury problems.
Private Life
Outside of rugby, Cave is an keen supporter of Blackburn
Rovers and is President of the Northern Ireland Blackburn Rovers Supporters
Association. Caves quotes golfer Darren Clarke as one of his sporting heroes.
Most Irish people from Ireland support a big club but it is
a good thing to see supporters support smaller ones also.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darren_Cave
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