| Cassius Cleaves | |
| Fullname: | Cassius Cleaves |
| Birth Date: | 15 March 2003 |
| Birth Place: | London, England |
| Height: | 1750NaN0 |
| Weight: | 950NaN0 |
| School: | Wimbledon College Wellington College |
| Position: | Wing |
| Currentclub: | London Scottish (on loan from Harlequins) |
| Youthyears2: | 2013–2021 |
| Youthclubs2: | Harlequins |
| Youthyears1: | 2012–20?? |
| Youthclubs1: | Old Wimbledonian Warriors |
| Years1: | 2021– |
| Clubs1: | Harlequins |
| Apps1: | 7 |
| Points1: | 35 |
| Years2: | 2021–2022 |
| Clubs2: | → Worthing RFC (loan) |
| Apps2: | 6 |
| Points2: | 15 |
| Years3: | 2022– |
| Clubs3: | → London Scottish (loan) |
| Apps3: | 10 |
| Points3: | 15 |
| Repyears1: | 2021 |
| Repteam1: | England under-18 |
| Repyears2: | 2022–2023 |
| Repteam2: | England under-20 |
| Repcaps2: | 9 |
| Reppoints2: | 20 |
| Clubupdate: | 19 March 2024 |
| Repupdate: | 19 March 2024 |
Cassius Cleaves (born 15 March 2003) is an English professional rugby union player who plays as a wing for Harlequins. At international level he represented England U20's.
From Wandsworth, Cleaves was named after Muhammad Ali. He began playing rugby union at eleven years-old whilst attending Wimbledon College. By twelve years-old he was playing age group rugby with Harlequins and for Old Wimbledonian Warriors. He spearheaded Wimbledon College's National Schools Sevens 2016 tournament Under-13s Juniors Championship win on his 13th birthday;[1] and a year later, their Under-14s Championship win.[2] He attended Wellington College, Berkshire for the latter part of his schooling.[3]
Cleaves made a try-scoring debut for Harlequins RFC in March 2022 against Sale Sharks in the Premiership Rugby Cup.[4] [5] A try he scored the following season, in the same competition, against London Irish,[6] was reported as going viral due to Cleaves' display of pace and footwork after collecting the ball in his own half.[7]
Cleaves made his debut for the England U-20 team in the 2022 Six Nations Under 20s Championship against Wales.[8] His performance against Wales was described as “particularly eye-catching”.[5] He scored a try in their next game against Ireland.[9]
Cleaves featured for England U-20s at the 2023 World Rugby U20 Championship in June and July 2023, scoring tries in pool stage games against Fiji[10] and Australia.[11] [12] He also scored a try in their semi-final defeat against France as England finished fourth.[12] [13]
Cleaves has been described as having a "stunning sidestep and blistering pace".[14] [15] [16]
Through his mother, Cleaves is of Ghanaian heritage.[17]