Fitz Harding
{{Short description|English rugby union player}}
{{EngvarB|date=March 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2021}}
{{Infobox rugby biography
| name = Fitz Harding
| image =
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| birth_name = George Fitzgerald Harding
| nickname =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1999|04|26|df=yes}}
| birth_place = Kensington, England
| ru_position = Number eight
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| ru_clubyears = 2020–
| ru_proclubs = Bristol Bears
| ru_clubcaps = 54
| ru_clubpoints = (35)
| ru_clubupdate = 8 April 2024
| ru_currentclub = Bristol Bears
| ru_province =
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| school = Wellington College
| university = Durham University
}}
George Fitzgerald Harding (born 26 April 1999), known as Fitz Harding, is an English rugby union player who plays for Bristol Bears in Premiership Rugby.{{cite web |title=Fitz Harding |url=http://en.espn.co.uk/scrum/rugby/player/37670.html?source=opta |publisher=ESPN |access-date=25 March 2021}}
Early life and education
Harding studied History at Durham University (Hatfield College).{{cite news |last1=Styles |first1=Matt |title=Durham graduate Fitz Harding signs for Bristol Bears |url=https://www.palatinate.org.uk/durham-graduate-fitz-harding-signs-for-bristol-bears/ |access-date=28 March 2021 |work=Palatinate |date=21 August 2020}} He initially 'slipped through the net' and was only assigned a place in the fourth team of the university rugby club, but soon climbed the ranks.
Career
Harding made his Premiership debut against London Irish in March 2021. By October 2023, Harding had made 52 appearances for the Bears since signing in 2020.{{cite news |title=Harding extends Bristol deal and named captain |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/67016065#:~:text=Bristol%20back%2Drow%20forward%20Fitz,in%202020%20straight%20from%20university. |access-date=8 April 2024 |work=BBC Sport |date=5 October 2023}} He was named club captain for the upcoming Premiership season, taking over from Steven Luatua.{{cite news |last1=Evely |first1=John |title=Bristol Bears confirm new club captain as Fitz Harding signs contract extension |url=https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/bristol-bears-confirm-new-club-8805219 |access-date=8 April 2024 |work=Bristol Live |date=4 October 2023 |language=en}}
In December 2024, he captained the side during their 0–38 home loss to Sale Sharks, their worst home defeat for eight years and the first time since September 2016 that they had not scored a point in a Premiership fixture.{{cite web |title=Sale emphatically demolish in-form Bristol 38-0 |date=27 December 2024 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/articles/cn4xd99nwreo |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=27 December 2024}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.bristolbearsrugby.com/teams/bristol-bears-integrated-academy-squad/fitz-harding/ Bristol Profile]
- [http://en.espn.co.uk/scrum/rugby/player/37670.html?source=opta ESPN Profile]
- [https://www.ultimaterugby.com/fitz-harding Ultimate Rugby Profile]
{{Bristol Bears squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Harding, Fitz}}
Category:Alumni of Hatfield College, Durham
Category:Durham University RFC players
Category:English rugby union players
Category:People educated at Wellington College, Berkshire
Category:Rugby union players from the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
Category:People from Kensington
Category:Bristol Bears players
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