Matt Kvesic
{{Short description|England international rugby union player}}
{{EngvarB|date=May 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2015}}
{{Infobox rugby biography
| name = Matt Kvesic
| image = Matt Kvesic (cropped).jpg
| caption = Kvesic warming up for England in 2013
| birth_name = Matthew Boris Kvesic
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1992|4|14}}
| birth_place = Iserlohn, Germany
| height = {{height|m=1.88}}
| weight = {{convert|105|kg|stlb|abbr=on}}
| position = Openside flanker
| repteam1 = England U16
| repteam2 = England U18
| repteam3 = England U20
| repteam4 = England Saxons
| repteam5 = England
| repyears1 = 2008
| repyears2 = 2009–2010
| repyears3 = 2011–2012
| repyears4 = 2016
| repyears5 = 2013−2019
| repcaps1 =
| repcaps2 =
| repcaps3 = 14
| repcaps4 = 3
| repcaps5 = 4
| reppoints1 =
| reppoints2 =
| reppoints3 = 15
| reppoints4 = 5
| reppoints5 = 0
| ru_ntupdate = 17 June 2016
| amatyears1 =
| amatteam1 =
| ru_amupdate =
| years1 = 2009–2013
| years2 = 2010
| years3 = 2013−2017
| years4 = 2017−2020
| years5 = 2020–2022
| years6 = 2022–2023
| years7 = 2023−
| clubs1 = Worcester Warriors
| clubs2 = → Stourbridge
| clubs3 = Gloucester Rugby
| clubs4 = Exeter Chiefs
| clubs5 = Worcester Warriors
| clubs6 = Zebre Parma
| clubs7 = Coventry
| apps1 = 59
| apps2 = 4
| apps3 = 98
| apps4 = 58
| apps5 = 104
| apps6 = 12
| points1 = 50
| points2 = 0
| points3 = 50
| points4 = 65
| points5 = 65
| points6 = 5
| ru_clubupdate = 24 Dec 2022
| school = Blundell's School
Worcester Sixth Form College
}}
Matthew Boris "Matt" Kvesic (born 14 April 1992) is an English professional rugby union player for Coventry. Born in Iserlohn Germany to English parents of Croatian and Polish roots, he represented England at international level and played for several youth representative sides before making his debut for the senior team in 2013. Predominantly an openside flanker, he has also played on the blindside and at number eight.{{cite web |title=Matt Kvesic profile |url=http://www.gloucesterrugby.co.uk/rugby/squad/squads_gloucester_first_xv.php?player=85092&includeref=dynamic |publisher=Gloucester Rugby |access-date=16 July 2013}}{{cite web |title=Matt Kvesic Joins Coventry!|url=https://www.coventryrugby.co.uk/matt-kvesic-joins-coventry/ |publisher=Coventry Rugby|access-date=22 May 2023}}
Early life and youth rugby
After taking up rugby at Swanage & Wareham RFC, Kvesic attended Blundell's School in Tiverton where he captained the team in schools rugby. He joined the Worcester Warriors Academy aged 14 after attending a training camp before completing his academic studies at Worcester Sixth Form College.{{cite web |url=http://www.rfu.com/squadsandplayers/englandelite/mattkvesic |title=Matt Kvesic |publisher=Rugby Football Union |access-date=5 September 2013 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130903042708/http://www.rfu.com/squadsandplayers/englandelite/mattkvesic |archivedate=3 September 2013 |df=dmy-all }}{{cite news |url=http://www.worcesternews.co.uk/sport/wrfc/tomguest/8742966.Up_and_coming_Kvesic_keen_to_earn_new_Warriors_deal/ |last=Guest |first=Tom |date=17 December 2010 |title=Up-and-coming Kvesic keen to earn new Warriors deal |newspaper=Worcester News |access-date=5 September 2013}} Whilst in Sixth form he also represented North Midlands and then the Midlands as a whole in the Midland's Under-18 Championship and Divisional Festival respectively.{{cite web |url=http://www.northmidsrfu.co.uk/News_Article.asp?nid=45 |title=Kvesic in England Under-18 squad |publisher=North Midlands Rugby Football Union |access-date=11 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019162503/http://www.northmidsrfu.co.uk/News_Article.asp?nid=45 |archive-date=19 October 2013 |url-status=dead }}
Club career
Kvesic made his senior debut for Worcester in the Anglo-Welsh Cup against the Scarlets on 14 November 2009, becoming the youngest player to represent the Warriors in the professional era.{{cite web |url=http://www.warriors.co.uk/warriors/matchcentre/players_warriors_first_team.php?player=85092&includeref=dynamic |title=Matt Kvesic profile |publisher=Worcester Warriors |access-date=8 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019144208/http://www.warriors.co.uk/warriors/matchcentre/players_warriors_first_team.php?player=85092&includeref=dynamic |archive-date=19 October 2013 |url-status=dead }} In May 2010 he signed a new contract with the club,{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/my_club/worcester/8695988.stm |title=Worcester hand out new deals to promising youngsters |date=20 May 2010 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=14 September 2013}} though with his playing time limited, he joined National League 1 side Stourbridge at the start of the season on a dual registration agreement,{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/english/8880960.stm |title=Stourbridge sign rising duo Matt Kvesic and Andy Short |date=3 August 2010 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=8 September 2013}} making four appearances.{{cite web |url=http://rugby.statbunker.com/players/getPlayerStats?player_id=28004 |title=Matt Kvesic all time stats |publisher=Statbunker |access-date=2 December 2013}}
He returned to Worcester and scored two tries on his full debut against Esher before adding a third in the British and Irish Cup against Newport in his next game.{{cite web |url=http://www.warriors.co.uk/warriors/matchcentre/501.php |title=Matt finish warms sub-zero Sixways |publisher=Worcester Warriors |access-date=8 September 2013}} He credited his try-scoring start to the season with the time he spent playing physical, forwards dominated rugby in National League 1 with Stourbridge and finished the season with 13 appearances as Worcester were promoted to the Premiership.{{cite news |url=https://www.expressandstar.com/sport/2010/12/16/matt-kvesics-thanks-for-saxons-stint/ |title=Matt Kvesic's thanks for Saxons stint |newspaper=Express & Star |location=Wolverhampton |access-date=8 September 2013}}{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/9488438.stm |title=Worcester Warriors 25–20 Cornish Pirates (agg 46–32) |date=18 May 2011 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=8 September 2013}} His performances saw him named Young Player of the Year at the club's end-of-season awards and, with his previous contract due to run out in 2012, he signed an extension with the club in April 2011.{{cite news |url=http://www.worcesterstandard.co.uk/2012/07/05/sport-Shocked-Kvesic-earns-Saxons-call-up-44570.html |last=Berkeley |first=Geoff |date=5 July 2012 |title=Shocked Kvesic earns Saxons call up |newspaper=Worcester Standard |access-date=14 September 2013 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130914202403/http://www.worcesterstandard.co.uk/2012/07/05/sport-Shocked-Kvesic-earns-Saxons-call-up-44570.html |archive-date=14 September 2013 |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/9447849.stm |title=Worcester Warriors Matt Kvesic signs a new deal |date=5 April 2011 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=14 September 2013}} In his first Premiership season he played sixteen times in the league, including eight starts, and made his European debut in the Amlin Challenge Cup against Stade Français on 10 November 2011.{{cite web |url=http://www.warriors.co.uk/warriors/matchcentre/4939.php |title=Contepomi boots Stade to Amlin win |publisher=Worcester Warriors |access-date=18 September 2013}} He was a regular in his final season with the Warriors, appearing in all but one of their Premiership matches and left the club having been named Player of the Year and Players' Player of the Year for 2012–13.{{cite news |url=http://www.worcesternews.co.uk/sport/10413466.Double_Warriors_joy_for_departing_Kvesic/ |last=Guest |first=Tom |date=11 May 2013 |title=Double Warriors joy for departing Kvesic |publisher=Worcester News |access-date=18 September 2013}}
On 6 February 2013, it was confirmed that Kvesic would leave Worcester at the end of the season to join local rivals Gloucester Rugby on a two-year contract.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/21336810|publisher=BBC Sport | title=Matt Kvesic to leave Worcester Warriors to join Gloucester |date=6 February 2013}} He made his debut in Gloucester's 22–16 defeat to Sale Sharks on the opening day of the 2013–14 season and played his first match in the Heineken Cup a month later against USA Perpignan.{{cite web |url=http://www.gloucesterrugby.co.uk/rugby/matchcentre/9037.php |title=Gloucester name team for Aviva Premiership opener against Sale |publisher=Gloucester Rugby |access-date=7 September 2013}}{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/23951976 |title=Gloucester 16–22 Sale |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=7 September 2013}}{{cite web |url=http://www.gloucesterrugby.co.uk/rugby/matchcentre/9200.php |title=Magnificent Gloucester pip Perpignan to take Heineken honours |publisher=Gloucester Rugby |access-date=13 October 2013}} After twenty games without a try, Kvesic scored his first points for the club after crossing the line against Harlequins in February 2014.{{cite web |url=http://www.gloucesterrugby.co.uk/rugby/matchcentre/9716.php |title=Gloucester edge Harlequins in Kingsholm nailbiter |publisher=Gloucester Rugby |access-date=24 February 2014}} In October 2014, he signed a two-year contract extension to keep him with the club until the end of the 2016–17 season.{{cite web |url=http://www1.skysports.com/rugby-union/news/12321/9528602/aviva-premiership-new-gloucester-deal-for-england-international-matt-kvesic |publisher=Sky Sports |title=Aviva Premiership: New Gloucester deal for England international Matt Kvesic |access-date=22 October 2014}}
On 12 January 2017 it was announced that Kvesic would leave Gloucester at the end of the season to join local rivals Exeter Chiefs on a three-year contract.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/38587003|publisher=BBC Sport|title=Exeter Chiefs sign Gloucester and England openside flanker Matt Kvesic|date=25 January 2017|access-date=25 March 2017}}
On 13 May 2020, Kvesic left Exeter to rejoin Worcester Warriors ahead of the 2020–21 season, on a long-term deal.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/52635292|publisher=BBC Sport|title=Matt Kvesic: Exeter and England back-row forward to rejoin Worcester Warriors|date=13 May 2020|access-date=13 August 2020}}
On 5 October 2022 all Worcester players had their contacts terminated due to the liquidation of the company to which they were contracted.{{Cite web |title=Worcester player and staff contracts terminated after high court ruling {{!}} Worcester {{!}} The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/oct/05/worcester-player-and-staff-contracts-terminated-after-high-court-ruling-rugby-union |access-date=2022-10-05 |website=amp.theguardian.com}} On 16 November 2022, it was confirmed that Kvesic has signed for Italy region Zebre Parma in the URC for the rest of the 2022–23 season.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/63523070 |work=BBC Sport|title=Ex-England & Worcester flanker Kvesic joins Zebre|date=16 November 2022|access-date=16 November 2022}}{{cite web |title=IL TERZA LINEA INGLESE MATT KVESIC SI LEGA ALLE ZEBRE|url=https://www.zebreparma.it/it-it/il-terza-linea-inglese-matt-kvesic-si-lega-alle-zebre.aspx |publisher=Zebre Parma|access-date=16 November 2022}}{{cite web |url=https://www.zebreparma.it/it-it/tredici-atleti-e-un-componente-dello-staff-tecnico-delle-zebre-salutano-il-club.aspx|title=TREDICI ATLETI E UN COMPONENTE DELLO STAFF TECNICO DELLE ZEBRE SALUTANO IL CLUB|publisher=Zebre Parma|access-date=19 June 2023}}
For the 2023/24 Kvesic season joined Coventry RFC in RFU Championship.
International career
= Age group rugby =
Kvesic first represented England at under-16 level in 2008 while still at Blundell's school.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/my_club/worcester/7912481.stm |title=Warriors lads go rampant in Wales |date=26 February 2009 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=11 September 2013}} He made his debut for the under-18s the following year in the European Under-18 Rugby Union Championship and became a regular in the team. His spell with the under-18s culminated with a Grand Slam in the Five Nations tournament with Kvesic captaining the side in the win over Scotland.{{cite web |url=http://www.northmidsrfu.co.uk/News_Article.asp?nid=136 |title=Kvesic helps England Under-18s to Grand Slam |publisher=North Midlands Rugby Football Union |access-date=11 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927210507/http://www.northmidsrfu.co.uk/News_Article.asp?nid=136 |archive-date=27 September 2013 |url-status=dead }} In September 2010 he was selected in the under-20 elite squad and retained his place for the 2011 Six Nations Under 20s Championship and Junior World Championship.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/8961673.stm |title=Worcester duo Kvesic and Short named in Under-20s squad |date=September 2010 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=11 September 2013}}{{cite web |url=http://www.northmidsrfu.co.uk/News_Article.asp?nid=326 |title=Former North Midlands Under-18 pair in England Under-20 squad |publisher=North Midlands Rugby Football Union |access-date=11 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927210509/http://www.northmidsrfu.co.uk/News_Article.asp?nid=326 |archive-date=27 September 2013 |url-status=dead }} He made his debut against Wales in February 2011, scoring two tries in a 26–20 win and went on to play every game of the Under-20s Six Nations as England won the Grand Slam.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/9445845.stm |title=Matt Kvesic happy with Worcester Warriors return |date=4 April 2011 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=11 September 2013}} He cemented his place in the back row and started 14 of England's 15 games in the 13 months after his debut, playing in the Junior World Championship final defeat to New Zealand and the 2012 Under-20s Six Nations as England retained their title.{{cite web |url=http://www.irb.com/jwc/matches/match=12128/index.html |title=England 22–33 New Zealand |publisher=International Rugby Board |access-date=11 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019151341/http://www.irb.com/jwc/matches/match=12128/index.html |archive-date=19 October 2013 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=http://www.irishrugby.ie/rugby/25923.php |title=First loss sees Ireland under-20s finish third |publisher=Irish Rugby Football Union |access-date=11 September 2013 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928142053/http://www.irishrugby.ie/rugby/25923.php |archivedate=28 September 2013 |df=dmy-all }}
= Senior team =
A shoulder injury prevented Kvesic from playing in the 2012 Junior World Championship though he was named in the England Saxons squad for the first time in June the same year.{{cite web |url=http://www.rfu.com/news/2012/july/newsarticles/050712_eps_announcement |title=Senior England and Saxons squads named |publisher=Rugby Football Union |access-date=11 September 2013 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130604024358/http://www.rfu.com/news/2012/july/newsarticles/050712_eps_announcement |archivedate=4 June 2013 |df=dmy-all }} In January 2013 he called into the Senior squad for the Six Nations after an injury to Tom Johnson but did not make any appearances.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/21163836 |title=England flanker Tom Johnson out of Six Nations through injury |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=11 September 2013}} He was included in the squad for the 2013 tour of Argentina and started in the uncapped game against the Barbarians at Twickenham as England ran out 40–12 winners.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22453810 |title=Alex Goode and Joel Tomkins withdraw from England squad |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=11 September 2013}}{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/international/england/10081473/England-40-Barbarians-12-match-report.html |last=Mairs |first=Gavin |date=26 May 2013 |title=England 40–12 Barbarians |newspaper=The Telegraph |access-date=11 September 2013}} On 8 June he won his first senior cap in the 32–3 win over Argentina in the first Test and retained his place for the second match which England also won 51–26.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22800030 |publisher=BBC Sport |title=Kvesic debuts into England squad |date=8 June 2013}}{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/22915126 |publisher=BBC Sport |title=Kvesic retains place in England |date=15 June 2013}} After impressing during the tour he was named in the Elite Player Squad in August.{{cite web |url=http://www.rfu.com/news/2013/august/news-articles/010813_eps_release |title=Six changes to Senior England squad |publisher=Rugby Football Union |access-date=11 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928031721/http://www.rfu.com/news/2013/august/news-articles/010813_eps_release |archive-date=28 September 2013 |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |url=http://www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk/Stuart-Lancaster-tips-Matt-Kvesic-mount-England/story-19604406-detail/story.html |title=Stuart Lancaster tips Matt Kvesic to mount England bid |newspaper=The Citizen |location=Gloucester |access-date=11 September 2013 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130911172243/http://www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk/Stuart-Lancaster-tips-Matt-Kvesic-mount-England/story-19604406-detail/story.html |archive-date=11 September 2013 |url-status=dead }}
As part of the EPS, Kvesic was included in the squad for the 2014 Six Nations though he was not selected in the matchday 23 for any of the games.{{cite news |url=http://www.gazetteseries.co.uk/sport/gloucestershiresport/11110587.Gloucester_star_Matt_Kvesic_isn_t_coasting_to_the_finish_line_with_a_trip_to_New_Zealand_in_the_offing/ |title=Gloucester star Matt Kvesic isn't coasting to the finish line with a trip to New Zealand in the offing |newspaper=Gloucestershire Gazette |access-date=22 June 2014}} He travelled on the 2014 summer tour to New Zealand but was again omitted from the squad for any of the Test matches due to the stiff competition for the three back row slots.{{cite web|url=http://www.rfu.com/news/2014/may/news-articles/260514_england_squad_nz |title=Lancaster names initial 30-man NZ tour squad |publisher=Rugby Football Union |access-date=22 June 2014 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140711114923/http://www.rfu.com/news/2014/may/news-articles/260514_england_squad_nz |archivedate=11 July 2014 }} He did however play in the midweek game against the Crusaders, starting on the openside as England scored six tries in a 38–7 victory.{{cite web |url=http://www.espn.co.uk/scrum/rugby/story/230061.html |title=Six-try England ease to victory |publisher=ESPN Scrum |access-date=22 June 2014}} After the game England head coach Stuart Lancaster praised his performance, naming him as his Man of the Match.{{cite news |url=http://www.gloucestercitizen.co.uk/Matt-Kvesic-stars-England-ease-past-Crusaders/story-21247946-detail/story.html |last=Brown |first=Mike |date=17 June 2014 |title=Matt Kvesic stars as England ease past Crusaders |newspaper=Gloucester Citizen |access-date=22 June 2014 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140622113429/http://www.gloucestercitizen.co.uk/Matt-Kvesic-stars-England-ease-past-Crusaders/story-21247946-detail/story.html |archive-date=22 June 2014 |url-status=dead }}
Despite being called up in Eddie Jones first EPS squad in 2016,{{cite web |url=https://www.rugbyworld.com/countries/england-countries/england-usher-in-the-next-generation-for-the-six-nations-53322|title=England squad named for the 2016 Six Nations |publisher=rugbyworld.com |access-date=23 January 2016}} Kvesic has endured a long stay in the international wilderness, however after an outstanding second season for the Exeter Chiefs developing into more an all-round flanker rather than just an out-and-out openside he was recalled to the England squad for the 2019 Rugby World Cup warm-ups and came off the bench in the final game against Italy to win his third cap but was not included in the World Cup squad.
Honours
- Young Player of the Year: 2010–11
- Players' Player of the Year: 2012–13
- Player of the Year: 2012–13
Gloucester Rugby
- European Challenge Cup 2014–15
- Player of the Year 2014–15
- Young Player of the Year 2014–15
- Players' Player of the Year 2014–15
- Young Player of the Year 2015–16
- Player of the Year 2015–16
Exeter Chiefs
- Player of the Year 2018–19
- Premiership team of the season 2018–19
Personal life
Kvesic was born in Iserlohn, Germany, where his father was posted with the British Army. He is of Croatian descent on his father's side Mark Kvesic and Polish on his mother's Julia Kvesic.{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/international/england/10080399/England-v-Barbarians-Matt-Kvesic-has-a-golden-chance-to-be-Stuart-Lancasters-perfect-seven.html |last=James |first=Steve |date=25 May 2013 |title=Matt Kvesic has a golden chance to be Stuart Lancaster's perfect seven |newspaper=The Telegraph |access-date=5 September 2013}}
References
{{reflist|2}}
External links
{{Commons category|Matt Kvesic}}
- [http://www.gloucesterrugby.co.uk/rugby/squad/squads_gloucester_first_xv.php?player=85092&includeref=dynamic Gloucester Rugby profile]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20130903042708/http://www.rfu.com/squadsandplayers/englandelite/mattkvesic Matt Kvesic profile] at the RFU
- [http://www.espn.co.uk/england/rugby/player/105488.html ESPN Scrum profile]
- [http://www.itsrugby.co.uk/player_18623.html It's Rugby profile]
{{Coventry R.F.C. squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kvesic, Matt}}
Category:People educated at Worcester Sixth Form College
Category:English rugby union players
Category:England international rugby union players
Category:Worcester Warriors players
Category:Stourbridge R.F.C. players
Category:Gloucester Rugby players
Category:People educated at Blundell's School
Category:Rugby union players from Gloucestershire
Category:Exeter Chiefs players