Jon Clarke (rugby league) explained

Jon Clarke
Fullname:Jonathan Clarke
Currentclub: Warrington
Clubnumber:9
Birth Date:4 April 1979
Birth Place:Lowton, near Leigh, England
Height:5feet
Weight:15st[1]
Club1:Wigan Warriors
Year1start:1997
Year1end:99
Appearances1:28
Tries1:5
Goals1:0
Fieldgoals1:0
Points1:20
Club2:London Broncos
Year2start:2000
Year2end:01
Appearances2:30
Tries2:2
Goals2:0
Fieldgoals2:0
Points2:8
Club3:Warrington Wolves
Year3start:2001
Year3end:11
Appearances3:234
Tries3:69
Goals3:72
Fieldgoals3:0
Points3:420
Club4:Widnes Vikings
Year4start:2012
Year4end:14
Appearances4:67
Tries4:6
Goals4:0
Fieldgoals4:0
Points4:16
Teama:Great Britain
Yearastart:2007
Appearancesa:3
Triesa:0
Goalsa:0
Fieldgoalsa:0
Pointsa:0
New:yes
Retired:yes
Source:[2] [3]
Updated:17 February 2018

Jon Clarke (born 4 April 1979) is an English former professional rugby league player who played as a . He is currently a strength & conditioning coach for the England and British & Irish Lions rugby union teams. He played for the Wigan Warriors, London Broncos, Warrington Wolves and Widnes Vikings.[2] [3]

Playing career

He represented Great Britain Academy as captain whilst coming through the junior ranks at Wigan Warriors, he played in their 1997 Premiership Final winning side against St. Helens. He followed his Wigan Warriors coach John Monie to the London Broncos in 2000, but returned north in 2001 when the Warrington Wolves were forced to sign a on loan to solve an injury crisis.

Generally used as Warrington Wolves' starting, he was Super League's most effective tackler in 2004 with a 99% success rate, and was fourth-highest tackler in the competition in 2005.

In June 2007, Clarke was called up to the Great Britain squad for the Test match against France.[4]

The Warrington Wolves fans voted him 'Greatest Hooker' in the club's history, beating John Thursfield and Mark Roskell into 2nd and 3rd place.

He was forced to rule himself out contention for the England training squad for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup through injury.[5]

Clarke played in the 2010 Challenge Cup Final victory over the Leeds Rhinos at Wembley Stadium.[6] [7]

It was announced on 6 September 2011 that Clarke would be joining Widnes Vikings in their forthcoming return to Super League.

Coaching career

Clarke retired at the end of the 2014 season, and joined the coaching staff at Widnes.[8]

Clarke was on the coaching staff of England RU at the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan. He was a strength and conditioning coach on the 2021 British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa.

On 28 Nov 2023 it was reported that he had taken up a role as head of performance at the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles[9]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The official Engage Super League web site. web page. Super League. 17 August 2011.
  2. Web site: Profile at loverugbyleague.com. loverugbyleague.com. 31 December 2017. 1 January 2018.
  3. Web site: Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org. rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2017. 1 January 2018.
  4. Web site: Eight new faces in Lions squad. BBC. 2007-06-12. 2007-06-12.
  5. Web site: Deacon pulls out of England squad. BBC. 2008-09-16. 2008-10-03.
  6. News: Leeds 6–30 Warrington. BBC. 28 August 2010. 22 November 2019. Ged. Scott.
  7. News: Chris Hicks hat-trick leads Warrington to Challenge Cup triumph over Leeds . London . The Guardian . Andy . Wilson . 28 August 2010 . 22 November 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100831105934/http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2010/aug/28/leeds-rhinos-warrington-wolves-challenge-cup-final . 31 August 2010 . live . dmy .
  8. Web site: Jon Clarke added to Widnes Vikings coaching staff. BBC Sport. 25 January 2015. 28 August 2014.
  9. Web site: Love Rugby League. 28 Nov 2023. Jon Clarke returns to rugby league in role with NRL club Manly Sea Eagles: ‘An unbelievable opportunity’.