Will Hooley Explained

Will Hooley
Birth Date:28 November 1993[1]
Birth Place:Cambridge, England
Height:6feet
Weight:1960NaN0
School:The Leys School
Position:Fly-half
Youthclubs1:Cambridge
Years1:2012–2015
Clubs1:Northampton Saints
Apps1:16
Points1:80
Years2:2013–2015
Clubs2:Birmingham Moseley
Apps2:14
Points2:84
Years3:2015–2017
Clubs3:Exeter Chiefs
Apps3:14
Points3:23
Years4:2017–2020
Clubs4:Bedford Blues
Apps4:49
Points4:323
Years5:2020—2021
Clubs5:Saracens
Apps5:10
Points5:26
Years6:2022—
Clubs6:San Diego Legion
Apps6:0
Points6:0
Repyears1:2013
Repteam1:England U20
Repcaps1:3
Reppoints1:24
Repyears2:2018–
Repteam2:United States
Repcaps2:18
Reppoints2:28
Clubupdate:25 December 2020
Repupdate:3 October 2021

William John E. Hooley (born 28 November 1993) is a former rugby union player who played fly-half for the San Diego Legion in Major League Rugby (MLR) and the United States.

Hooley previously played for the Northampton Saints, Birmingham Moseley on loan, Exeter Chiefs, Bedford Blues and Saracens Rugby Club.

Hooley also previously represented England at the international level with two age-grade sides, winning the 2013 IRB Junior World Championship.

Early life

Will Hooley was born in Cambridge,[2] and grew up playing for Cambridge Rugby Club mini and youth level teams.[3] Hooley attended St John's College School[4] and The Leys School, and began playing at the academy level with the Northampton Saints.

Club career

Hooley played for Bedford Blues having signed for them from Exeter Chiefs for the 2017-18 season.[5] [6] In March 2018, it was announced that Hooley had signed a one-year contract extension with the Blues, through the 2018–19 season.[7] Hooley joined the Exeter Chiefs from fellow Premiership team Northampton Saints in 2015, making his debut against Clermont Auvergne in the European Rugby Champions Cup.[8]

He signed for Saracens ahead of the 2020–21 season.[9]

International career

England under-18 and under-20 teams

Hooley first represented England at the international level playing for the England national under-18 rugby union team.In 2013, he represented England in the World Rugby Under 20 Championship[10] and was part of the winning team in the 2013 IRB Junior World Championship.

USA Eagles

In 2018, Hooley was named to the United States national rugby union team, with whom he qualifies through his American grandmother, for the 2018 Americas Rugby Championship.[11] Hooley made his debut for the Eagles on 3 February 2018, appearing as a substitute, in an uncapped 17–10 victory over Argentina XV.[12] [13] Hooley earned his first cap for the Eagles on 10 February 2018, again appearing as a substitute, in a 29–10 victory over Canada.[14]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: WILL HOOLEY . USA Rugby . 7 October 2021.
  2. News: Street . Tim . 1 March 2018 . Cambridge's newest rugby international on switching from England to the USA Eagles . . 27 September 2018.
  3. News: . 10 January 2018 . Fraser Dingwall and Will Hooley earn international selection . Cambridge Independent . 27 September 2018.
  4. Web site: Young Gun: Will Hooley – Northampton fly-half . Verdier . Nick . 2013-01-05 . The Rugby Paper . en-GB . 2019-09-26.
  5. http://www.bedfordrugby.co.uk/content/hooley-and-packman-head-bedford HOOLEY AND PACKMAN HEAD TO BEDFORD
  6. http://exeterchiefs.co.uk/players-staff/players/will-hooley/ Will Hooley - Exeter Chiefs
  7. Web site: Hooley signs Bedford Blues extension . . 28 March 2018 . Americas Rugby News . 27 September 2018.
  8. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/32218904 Will Hooley: Exeter Chiefs sign Northampton Saints fly-half
  9. Web site: 2020-06-23. Will Hooley signs for Saracens. 2020-06-23. Saracens. en-GB.
  10. http://www.rugbynetwork.net/main/s245/st182046.htm England U20s name 2013 IRB Junior World Championship Squad
  11. http://www.thisisamericanrugby.com/2018/01/hooley-brings-experience-to-eagles.html "Hooley Brings Experience To The Eagles"
  12. Web site: USA defeat Argentina XV in ARC thriller . . 4 February 2018 . Americas Rugby News . 27 September 2018.
  13. Web site: Will Hooley . . . 27 September 2018.
  14. Web site: Americas Rugby Championship - Sacramento, 10 February 2018, 15:00 local, 23:00 GMT . espn.co.uk . . 27 September 2018.