Charlie Clare
{{Short description|English rugby union player}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2016}}
{{Use British English|date=October 2016}}
{{Infobox rugby biography
| name = Charlie Clare
| birth_name = Charles William Bernard Clare
| image =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1991|12|16|df=y}}
| birth_place = Norwich, England
| height = {{convert|1.83|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| weight = {{convert|110|kg|stlb lb|0|abbr=on}}
| position = Hooker
| currentclub = Leicester Tigers
| years1 = 2011–2013
| clubs1 = Leicester Tigers
| apps1 = 0
| points1 = 0
| years2 = 2011
| clubs2 = → Nottingham
| apps2 = 4
| points2 = 0
| years3 = 2011–2012
| clubs3 = → Loughborough Students
| apps3 = 1
| points3 = 0
| years4 = 2012–2013
| clubs4 = → Jersey
| apps4 = 9
| points4 = 5
| years5 = 2013–2016
| clubs5 = Bedford Blues
| apps5 = 88
| points5 = 15
| years6 = 2016–2018
| clubs6 = Northampton Saints
| apps6 = 21
| points6 = 5
| years7 = 2018–2019
| clubs7 = Bedford Blues
| apps7 = 14
| points7 = 25
| years8 = 2019–
| clubs8 = Leicester Tigers
| apps8 = 124
| points8 = 85
| totalyears = 2011–
| totalapps = 261
| totalpoints = 135
| clubupdate = 15 June 2025
}}
Charles William Bernard Clare (born 16 December 1991){{cite web|url=http://en.espn.co.uk/england/rugby/player/246163.html|accessdate=27 June 2019|publisher=ESPN|title=Charlie Clare ESPN profile}} is a professional rugby union player for Leicester Tigers in Premiership Rugby. His principal position is hooker. Previously he played for Bedford Blues in the RFU Championship, and for Northampton Saints in Premiership Rugby.{{cite web|url=http://www.northamptonsaints.co.uk/news/latest-headlines/2016/march-2016/new-contracts-announced-at-saints/|title=New contracts announced|access-date=3 September 2016|date=31 March 2016|publisher=Northampton Saints}}
Career
The hooker learned his trade at Leicester Tigers where he was a part of their academy; he also spent time out at Nottingham, Jersey Reds and Loughborough Students RUFC on loan during his five years at the Midlands side.{{cite web|url=http://www.northamptonsaints.co.uk/news/latest-headlines/2016/march-2016/new-contracts-announced-at-saints/|title=New contracts announced at Saints|website=www.northamptonsaints.co.uk}}
Following a serious shoulder injury, Clare made the move to RFU Championship side Bedford Blues in 2013.{{cite web|url=http://www.bedfordtoday.co.uk/sport/rugby/full-story-ex-leicester-tigers-starlet-clare-looks-to-bounce-back-from-serious-shoulder-injury-with-the-bedford-blues-1-5265608|title=Ex-Leicester Tigers starlet Clare looks to bounce back from serious shoulder injury with the Bedford Blues|website=www.bedfordtoday.co.uk}} The hooker impressed at the Midlands side in their progression to the top four of the second tier of English rugby but made his departure into the Aviva Premiership in the summer of 2016.{{cite web|url=http://www.bedfordshire-news.co.uk/bedford-blues-charlie-clare-depart-northampton/story-29026366-detail/story.html|title=Bedford Blues: Charlie Clare to depart for Northampton Saints as Jacob Fields signs|date=31 March 2016|publisher=}} Clare has also represented RFU Championship XV in 2014.{{cite web|url=http://www.warriors.co.uk/news/7924.php#.WAnx7GVicfE|title=Worcester Warriors|website=warriors.co.uk|access-date=21 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161022021709/http://www.warriors.co.uk/news/7924.php#.WAnx7GVicfE|archive-date=22 October 2016|url-status=dead}}
Clare made his Premiership debut in the Saints first match of the season against Bath Rugby and made over 16 appearances for them.{{Cite web |url=http://www.greatyarmouthmercury.co.uk/sport/charlie_clare_working_hard_to_make_the_most_of_his_chance_with_northampton_saints_1_4744133 |title=Charlie Clare working hard to make the most of his chance with Northampton Saints - Sport - Great Yarmouth Mercury |access-date=21 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161022021522/http://www.greatyarmouthmercury.co.uk/sport/charlie_clare_working_hard_to_make_the_most_of_his_chance_with_northampton_saints_1_4744133 |archive-date=22 October 2016 |url-status=dead }}
Clare helped the Saints' second team the Northampton Wanderers clinch the Aviva 'A' League title as they defeated Gloucester United to lift the trophy.
He then went on to re-join Bedford Blues for the 2018–19 season, before signing for Leicester Tigers on 6 May 2019.{{cite news|url=https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/hooker-charlie-clare-set-return-2837154|publisher=Leicester Mercury|date=6 May 2019|accessdate=6 May 2019|title=Hooker Charlie Clare set to return to Leicester Tigers for 2019-20 season}}
In 2022 Clare played in the Premiership Final as Leicester won their 11th title. Clare replaced starting hooker Julian Montoya in the 63rd minute.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/61829701|title=Premiership final: Leicester Tigers 15-12 Saracens - Freddie Burns drop-goal clinches title|website=BBC Sport|date=18 June 2022|accessdate=20 June 2022}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{Leicester Tigers squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Clare, Charlie}}
Category:Bedford Blues players
Category:English rugby union players
Category:Leicester Tigers players
Category:Northampton Saints players
Category:Rugby union players from Norwich
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