Walker brothers hand major boost to Leeds Carnegie

Posted on Mar 30, 2012 in Championship, English Rugby, Leeds Carnegie

Leeds Carnegie have been handed a major boost ahead of this Saturday massive Championship Play off at Bedford with the news that two of the hottest young prospects in English rugby have agreed new contracts with the club.
England U20 captain Chris Walker, 20, has signed a new two year contract whilst his younger brother Jack, the England U16 hooker, has agreed a long term four year deal with the club. Chris has been a major part of the Leeds Carnegie squad this season in the Championship having featured in fifteen games so far and is expected to back in the squad for Saturday’s trip to Goldington Road having returned from the successful Under 20’s Six Nations campaign with England.

The brothers hail from Settle in North Yorkshire and come from a rugby family as their father John played rugby union and league for Otley, Batley, Keighley Cougars and Hunslet Hawks.
Chris has captained the England U18 and Under 20 side and made his debut for Leeds Carnegie last season in the LV Cup at Llanelli.
Chris began playing for North Ribblesdale at the age of six, attended Settle Middle School and Settle HS. He then moved to Prince Henry’s GS in Otley to pursue his sixth form studies.
Jack Walker, who also attends Settle College, was part of the England U16 squad this season but was then called up for the Under 17 and this played for the England U18s team in a trial game against Northampton’s Under 19 squad.
Commenting on the new contracts for the Walker brothers Head Coach Diccon Edwards said, “This is fantastic news for Leeds Carnegie and a huge boost to our ongoing plans for the clubs in the immediate and long term. Chris has proven this year that he can perform at the highest level with Leeds and England whilst Jack is regarded as the best young player in his age group. Their commitment to Leeds Carnegie is a tremendous message about the direction we are going as a club and an exciting development for everyone at the club.”

Commenting on the progress of Jack Walker, Academy Manager Mark Luffman added, "Jack is a very exciting young talent. He plays at hooker in his own age group but was moved to the back row for obvious reasons when he played at a higher age group. However, as with most things, he took it in his stride. He is certainly a player we hope will have a bright future at the club and can follow in Chris’ footsteps into the first team in the years ahead."

England U20 skipper Chris Walker commented, "I am delighted to have agreed a new deal and pleased to be staying at Leeds Carnegie. I have been part of the club since I was 12 and this is my club. We have got a great opportunity over the next few weeks to get the club back where we believe it belongs in the Premiership and I know there are some exciting times ahead for Leeds Carnegie."

Walker steps up for England Sevens in Hong Kong

Posted on Mar 21, 2012 in England Sevens, English Rugby, Sevens

Harlequins centre Charlie Walker’s feet have finally touched the ground in Hong Kong as he steps straight from the Under 20 Six Nations into the HSBC Sevens World Series with England.

The 19 year old from Leicestershire helped England beat Ireland 20-9 at London Wasps last Friday night – securing a second title in a row for Rob Hunter’s side – and was heading for Heathrow and the Far East the following day.

He is likely to make his international sevens debut at some point during the March 23-25 Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens, where Argentina, Kenya and Samoa are England’s Pool A rivals.

England are fourth in the overall series, 18 points behind leaders New Zealand, and looking to cut back that advantage this weekend before the global tour heads for the Japan Sevens in Tokyo (March 31-April 1).

“We got the win [against Ireland] and the goal we set out to do at the start of the season which was to win the Six Nations so there was a great buzz, then on Saturday I was off to Hong Kong, so it was a pretty hectic weekend but it’s awesome to be here,” said Walker.

“Rob Hunter and Nick Walshe had pulled me aside one lunchtime and said ‘after Ireland you’ll be flying to Hong Kong to join the England Sevens boys’. I didn’t know what to say, particularly because it’s Hong Kong and it’s one of the biggest tournaments with one of the biggest followings.

“Definitely as a younger player looking to get better you’ve got to play in front of big crowds, that’s the way you’re going to get experience and with that comes confidence and learning how you improve yourself as a player, so for me it should be a great opportunity and something to relish.

“From what I’ve heard this is the big one, the one you want to go to. We’ve been into town and down to the markets to see what Hong Kong is about. It’s an unreal place and I’m really looking forward to it."

Walker, a 100m track finalist at the English Schools Athletics Association championships, has plenty of pace as well as the ability to make and take tries, touching down three times in the Six Nations campaign.

He has to familiarise himself with England’s systems inside a week, though, and teammates are helping him get to grips with the changes.

“It’s hard to get up to speed and coming into it you can tell the difference [t0 15s] because they’re such a small squad and they’re a lot tighter and closer together,” he said.

“Luckily some of the moves and calls are the same as England Under 20s so that’s quite easy to pick up, but most of the guys have taken me through the moves to show me what I need to do in attack and defence, and how we’re going to play.”

RFU Podcast: Farrell and Rowntree, Moody, Corbisiero, Hodgson, Burnfield, Walker, Vesty

Posted on Mar 8, 2012 in England, English Rugby, RFU Podcast

Andy Farrell evaluates the RBS 6 Nations campaign and the challenge ahead for England at the Stade de France on Sunday in this week’s RFU Podcast.

Backs coach Farrell and forwards coach Graham Rowntree also assess the ‘massive impact’ on the game made by former captain Lewis Moody, who announced his retirement this week.

Meanwhile Alex Corbisiero is braced to meet a new challenge head-on, while Charlie Hodgson – who played there in 2006 – believes England have taken a step forward with each game and are creating opportunities, as does wary France boss Philippe Saint Andre.

England Women were 33-0 winners against Wales at Twickenham and player of the match Rowena Burnfield wants to keep the standards high against the last side to beat them when they face France at the Stade Charlety.

We also hear from young Charlie Walker, the centre who will move straight from the Under 20 Six Nations to making his debut for England Sevens in Hong Kong and Tokyo at the end of the month.

On the home front, the semi finals of the LV= Cup take place this weekend. On Sunday, Northampton Saints take on the Scarlets and on Friday night Bath Rugby take on Leicester Tigers at the Rec, where former Tiger Sam Vesty is looking forward to facing his old club.

For the full interviews, check out today’s RFU Podcast.

Giant wing Walker to make Warriors move

Posted on Mar 2, 2012 in English Rugby, Premiership, Worcester Warriors

Worcester Warriors have expressed their delight in confirming the signing of Scotland international wing Nikki Walker from RaboDirect PRO12 giants Ospreys.

Powerful winger Walker, who has been a star performer at the Ospreys over the last six seasons, will make the move to Warriors from the start of the 2012/13 season.

Aberdeen-born back Walker, who stands an imposing 6ft 5in and weighs 16st 12lbs, has made 24 appearances from Scotland and scored six tries.

Head Coach Richard Hill said: “We have signed a physical and explosive player with real experience who will add a huge amount to the club. We are striving to improve our squad and so we’re delighted to have an international player of Nikki’s pedigree coming in.

“Nikki has played Heineken Cup and international rugby, including a Rugby World Cup. He will bring that experience to Sixways and if we are going to move upwards we have to bring in people who have played at the very highest level.

“He will also bring a different style to our play. At Ospreys he was used in conjunction with Shane Williams and added a real threat around the 10 channel. It opened up space out wide and if he can do that at Warriors it will allow our other wingers to exploit that room.

“Nikki also has a fantastic attitude and is a real club man who will embrace the culture and environment we have here at Sixways.”

Walker, who has also played for Border Reivers, made his Scotland debut against Romania in November 2002 and was part of the Rugby World Cup squad in 2007.

The 29-year-old made four appearances during the 2008 Six Nations, including Scotland’s Calcutta Cup win over England. He was also part of Andy Robinson’s squad for the 2010 November internationals against Samoa, New Zealand and South Africa.

Walker went on to play in all but one of Scotland’s 2011 Six Nations campaign before a knee injury cruelly ruled him out of the Rugby World Cup last year.

“It’s an exciting new challenge for me. I’m looking forward to playing in England and Warriors are clearly a club that is on the up,” said Walker.

“The results in recent months have shown the huge potential and ambition and so it is a club I am keen to join up with. I spoke to Richard Hill and he is passionate and enthusiastic about the future of the Warriors.

“I’ve spent the last ten seasons playing in what was the Magners League and is now the RaboDirect PRO12,it is time for a change. The Aviva Premiership is an intense and hugely physical and competitive league where I feel I can use my strengths as a player.”

Walker out to make Oakham proud

Posted on Apr 6, 2011 in Latest Rugby News

Oakham captain Charlie Walker is happy to take the underdog tag ahead of tomorrow’s Daily Mail RBS Schools final.

As he took to the pitch for pre-match photos on Tuesday, Walker spoke to RFU.com about the biggest day in the schools’ rugby calendar.

“It’s going to be a huge honour to play at Twickenham. I can’t wait. I think we’ve sold over 2,000 tickets and with lots of family and friends, we will be going out hoping to make everyone proud.”
Despite winning the U18 Cup title in 2002 and 2003, Oakham will begin Wednesday’s final as underdogs, a position that Walker believes will give his side an added edge.

“We faced St Josephs in the quarter finals who were apparently favourites, which I think got a lot of the lads more involved in the game and if anything, more up for it. I know there are a few Harlequins and Wasps players involved with Whitgift tomorrow and I’m sure they will put up their best fight, but hopefully we can come out victors.”

Walker will come up against fellow England age grade player Elliot Daly whose try against France in only his second England U18 appearance was succeeded by a string of scores against Wales, Ireland and South Africa in 2010. Walker commented on Daly,

“Elliot’s moved to thirteen for the game and I’m sure he will be looking for his trade mark outside breaks and we will be looking to cut him down early. But it’s not just him we will be looking out for. He will kick the penalties if we concede them but they have Herbie Butler and George Merrick who will be looking to cause trouble up front. We’re not really looking to target anyone we will just stick to our game.”

Daily Mail RBS Schools final, Wednesday April 6.
U15 Vase Final
Saffron Walden County High School v Harrogate Grammar School, 1100

U15 Cup Final
Truro School v RGS High Wycombe, 1230

U18 Vase Final
St Georges College vs. Solihull School, 1400
U18 Cup Final
Oakham School vs. Whitgift School,1530  

To purchase tickets, please call the Ticket Office on 020 8831 6666. Adult £7/Junior £4/Family (2 adults, 3 children) £17