With effervescent characters like Joe Marler and Danny Care, Harlequins from the outside is seen as a fun environment but academy graduate wing Cassius Cleaves states that while it’s an enjoyable club to be at, they know when to get down to business.
Wimbledon-born Cleaves, 20, was picked up by his local Premiership club when he was in secondary school and has progressed through the age groups making five Premiership Cup appearances over the past two seasons.
Cleaves has thoroughly enjoyed his time with Harlequins and has found the jump up to the first team environment a smooth transition.
He said: “I was involved in all Prem Cup games this year and it’s nice to run out for Quins and wear the shirt for the club that I’ve been at for so many years alongside a great group of lads who I’ve been working with for so long. It’s so much quicker than any rugby I’ve played before but it’s been very enjoyable.
“It’s a very fun environment, we give off the persona that we’re quite relaxed but we train quite hard. It’s very fun from the academy up to the top and that makes the transition much easier. The likes of Danny Care and Joe Marler are exactly how they are perceived but they are really hard working.”
Cleaves has made five appearances for England U20s scoring one try and is one of the more experienced players in the group as Mark Mapletoft‘s new side embark on a two-Test series in Georgia before this summer’s World Cup.
“We’re looking forward to it, more so for the lads up front as scrum time will be fun to watch,” said Cleaves.
“It’s going to be a physical battle but one we’re ready for. I try to avoid the collisions at all costs but if I get brought into one I won’t shy away. Last year I was finding my feet but having been involved for a while now, myself and a few of the other lads have been through the same cycles and have taken it upon ourselves to show more leadership than we did last year. It’s been good and having these added responsibilities is what we relish.”
New U20s head coach Mapletoft replaces Alan Dickens whose four-year tenure came to an end earlier this month.
Cleaves is thankful to Dickens for allowing him to express himself while in his U20s setup and believes England are in a safe hands with former U18s head coach Mapletoft at the helm.
He said: “Alan did a great job with the group, he’s a class coach and class lad. He was always an advocate for me going out to play my game and doing what I do best which is attacking rugby, so I’m very grateful to him for allowing me to do that on an international level.
“His attacking work is class, he loves runners with the ball, loves attacking open spaces and I’m sure he’ll do a great job wherever he ends up next.
“A lot of us had Mapletoft in England U18s. My first year at Harlequins U18s I worked with him, so I have worked closely with him for a while. I feel as a group there’s not much change and there’s a bit of continuity as most of the first year lads were with him last year.”
