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Danny Care

Care representing Harlequins during the Aviva Premiership

Full name

Daniel Stuart Care

Date of birth

2 January 1987 (age 38)

Place of birth

Leeds, England

Height

1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)

Weight

85 kg (187 lb; 13 st 5 lb)

School

Prince Henry's Grammar School

Rugby union career

Senior career
Position(s)	Scrum-half, Fly-half
Current team	Harlequins
Years	Team	Apps	(Points)
2003–2006	Leeds Tykes	13	(26)
2006–	Harlequins	374	(589)
Correct as of 8 May 2024
National team(s)
Years	Team	Apps	(Points)
2006	England U19	6	(20)
2006	England U21	4	(5)
2008	England Saxons	1	(0)
2008–2022	England XV	7	(15)
2008–2024	England	101	(84)
Correct as of 8 May 2024
National sevens team(s)
Years	Team		Comps
2006–2008	England		7
Correct as of 8 May 2024

Daniel Stuart Care (born 2 January 1987) is a famous English rugby union player. He plays as a scrum-half for the Premiership Rugby club Harlequins. He also played for the England national team.

Discovering Rugby: Danny Care's Early Life
- Joining Leeds Tykes Academy
Club Rugby Journey
- Starting with Leeds Tykes
- Harlequins: A Long Career
International Rugby Career
- England Sevens Team
- Playing for England
Career statistics
- List of international tries
Honours and Achievements
See also

Discovering Rugby: Danny Care's Early Life

Danny Care was born in Leeds, West Yorkshire. He started playing rugby union at age six. His first club was West Park Bramhope RUFC in Leeds. When he was 11, he joined the Academy at Sheffield Wednesday Football Club. This meant he stopped playing club rugby union for a while. However, he kept playing rugby at Prince Henry's Grammar School, Otley.

In 2000, he helped Prince Henry's win the Under-13 Yorkshire Cup. The next year, he broke his leg in a school game. He missed almost the whole season recovering. After that, he left the Sheffield Wednesday academy. This allowed him to focus fully on rugby union.

He was soon selected for Yorkshire Schools' Under-15s. The next season, he played for Yorkshire and the North of England. In April 2003, he made his debut for England Schools' Under-16s. This game was against Wales in Neath. Care also rejoined club rugby with Otley. That season, his school team, Prince Henry's, won another Yorkshire Cup at Under-16s.

Joining Leeds Tykes Academy

Care joined the Leeds Tykes academy in 2003. That season, Leeds won the National Under-19 Colts Cup. Care was named the Tykes' Players' Young Player of the Year. At school, he played as a fly-half. He helped Prince Henry's win the Daily Mail Under-18 Vase at Twickenham. He scored 13 points in their 18–11 win. He was also chosen for the England Clubs Under-18s team. He played in the Four Nations Tournament in Belfast.

Care played 20 times for England's youth teams. He scored 25 points between 2003 and 2007. He also played for England sevens in the 2004 Commonwealth Youth Games. This event took place in Bendigo, Australia.

Club Rugby Journey

Starting with Leeds Tykes

In 2003, Care played his first game for Leeds Tykes. It was a friendly match against Exeter Chiefs. He was chosen for Team England in rugby sevens. This was for the 2004 Commonwealth Youth Games in Australia. It was his first experience playing sevens rugby. England won the silver medal there. They lost 26–24 to Australia in the final. Care was the top try scorer in the competition, with 7 tries.

He made his official debut for Leeds in Spain. This was in the European Challenge Shield against Valladolid RAC. He scored a try and kicked 4 conversions. However, he broke his leg after only 23 minutes. Care signed his first professional contract with Leeds in December 2004.

After finishing school, Care joined Leeds full-time. He played alongside the famous All Black scrum-half Justin Marshall. Care made his Guinness Premiership debut in September 2005. He came on as a replacement against Saracens. He also started in some Powergen Cup games. He scored his first senior try against Sale. He also won his first man-of-the-match award against Newcastle.

Harlequins: A Long Career

Early Years at Harlequins (2006–2008)

In 2006, Care signed a 3-year contract with Harlequins. He first played as a backup to Samoan player Steve So'oialo. Later, the club brought in experienced player Andy Gomarsall. This limited Care's playing time. He started in some cup games. In January 2007, he made his first Guinness Premiership start for Harlequins. They won 9–3 against Bath.

The 2007–08 season gave Care more chances to play. Andy Gomarsall and Steve So'oialo were away for the Rugby World Cup. Care started the first game of the season against London Irish. Harlequins won 35–27. Care was injured in that match and missed five weeks. When he returned, his game time was limited. He was nominated for the Guinness Premiership Young Player of the Year Award. He finished third.

Success and Challenges (2008–2012)

Care had a great season with Harlequins in 2008–09. The club finished second in the Guinness Premiership. They also reached the quarter-finals of the Heineken Cup. This was their best season as a professional club. Care was again nominated for the PRA Young Player of the Year Award. He finished third. He extended his contract with Harlequins until June 2011, and then again until June 2013.

In the 2010–11 season, Harlequins won the Amlin Challenge Cup. This is the second-tier European club rugby competition. Harlequins won their pool games. They beat Wasps in the quarter-final and Munster in the semi-final. Care scored in both games. The final was against Stade Francais. Harlequins were losing 18–12 with five minutes left. Care made a great play, leading to a try. This helped Harlequins win 19–18. This win allowed them to play in the Heineken Cup. Care scored 7 tries that season.

Despite some challenges off the field, Care helped Harlequins have their best season ever. They became English champions for the first time. Harlequins finished first in the Aviva Premiership. Care missed the semi-final due to a shoulder injury. But Harlequins won and reached the final against Leicester Tigers. Care recovered in time for the final. Harlequins beat Leicester 30–23. Experts praised Care's performance in the final. He played 16 games that season, scoring 4 tries. In August 2012, Care signed a new contract until June 2016.

Continued Success (2012–present)

In the 2012–13 season, Care helped Harlequins finish third in the Aviva Premiership. They lost to Leicester in the semi-final. Care played his 100th Premiership game that season. He scored 2 tries in a 42–26 win. Harlequins won all their group games in the Heineken Cup. But they lost to Munster in the quarter-final. Care was nominated for the Aviva Premiership Rugby Player of the Year Award.

Care won his second Premiership title with Harlequins on 26 June 2021. Harlequins won the final 40–38. This was the highest-scoring Premiership final ever. In April 2024, Care helped Harlequins win their first ever knockout game in the Champions Cup. They beat Glasgow Warriors 28–24 at home. He then played in their semi-final match in Toulouse. Care signed a new one-year deal to stay with Harlequins for the 2024–25 season.

International Rugby Career

England Sevens Team

In 2005–06, Care joined the senior England Sevens team. He made his debut in New Zealand in February 2006. England won the Plate competition in Wellington. Then, they won the Cup in Los Angeles. This was England's first win in the USA leg of the IRB Sevens.

Care's good play earned him a spot at the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne. He won a silver medal there. England lost to New Zealand in the final. This was England's first medal in Rugby Sevens at the Commonwealth Games. Care became the only England rugby player to win medals at both the Commonwealth Youth Games and the senior Commonwealth Games.

Care also played for the England Under-19 team. He scored 2 tries against Scotland. Later, he helped England finish third in the IRB Under-19 World Championship in Dubai. This was England's highest finish ever.

Playing for England

Early England Appearances (2006–2008)

Care played for the England Under-21 team in 2006. He made his debut against Fiji. He played 4 games in the tournament. He scored the first try in England's 32–8 win against Ireland. This gave them fifth place, their highest finish. He was named captain of the England Under-20 team for the 2007 Six Nations games. This was his first time being a captain. England won against Scotland and Italy.

Care was called up to the England Saxons training squad in January 2008. He also played for the England Sevens team in Wellington. He made his Saxons debut in February 2008. He helped the team win 38–15 against Italy A. Care's strong performances led to him being called into the main England training squad. He was named Guinness Premiership Player of the Month for March 2008. In May, he was selected for the England squad for a tour to New Zealand.

Care played for an uncapped England XV against the Barbarians. England won 17–14. He made his official England debut in New Zealand. He came on as a replacement against New Zealand in Auckland. A week later, he started his first game for England in Christchurch. He scored his first try for England in that game.

Becoming a Key Player (2008–2010)

In July 2008, Care was chosen for the England Elite Player Squad. He started his third England game against the Pacific Islands. England won 39–13. His performance helped him start the next three games. These were against Australia, South Africa, and New Zealand.

In 2009, Care was set to start the Six Nations game against Italy. But he injured his ankle and missed the game. He returned to the bench for the game against Ireland. He also played against France and Scotland. Against Scotland, he came on early due to an injury. He helped England win 26–12 and regain the Calcutta Cup.

Care kept his place in the England squad for games against the Barbarians and Argentina. He started all three games. England lost to the Barbarians. They beat Argentina in Manchester but lost the return game in Salta. Care started the first Autumn International in 2009 against Australia. England lost 18–9. He then came off the bench in games against Argentina and New Zealand.

Care regained his starting spot for the 2010 RBS 6 Nations. He started all five games. He played a big part in England's 30–17 win against Wales. He scored a try in that game. England finished third in the championship.

World Cup Hopes and Setbacks (2010–2012)

During the 2010-11 England season, Care was often a replacement. He came off the bench in the first four games of the 2011 Six Nations. England won these games. In the final game against Ireland, England lost. However, they still won the 2011 RBS 6 Nations Championship. In June 2011, Care was named in England's training squad for the Rugby World Cup.

During a World Cup warm-up game, Care showed great sportsmanship. He stopped playing when a Welsh player, Morgan Stoddart, was badly injured. The next week, Care himself got a foot injury. This needed surgery and kept him out of England's World Cup squad. This news came just hours after he was told he would be in the squad. While recovering, Care worked as an analyst for TV rugby coverage.

Care was called back to the England squad for a tour to South Africa. He started the third and final Test in Port Elizabeth. England drew 14–14. Care scored England's only try and was named man of the match.

Later International Career (2012–2024)

Care continued to start for England. In an Autumn International against Fiji, England won 54–12. Care was temporarily sent off for a tip-tackle. He started the next week against Australia, but England lost. He came off the bench in the next two games. One of these was a famous 38–21 win over world champions New Zealand. This was England's first win over the All Blacks in nine years.

Care remained on the bench for the 2013 RBS 6 Nations game against Scotland. He scored England's fourth try in the final minute. Two weeks later, he came off the bench as England beat France. Care started an 18–11 win against Italy. But he returned to the bench for the final game against Wales. England lost that game 30–3.

Care was not chosen for the 2013 British and Irish Lions squad. In August 2013, he was named in the England Elite Player Squad for the next season. After the 2024 Six Nations, where England finished second, Care announced he was retiring from international rugby.

Career statistics

List of international tries

No.	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1	21 June 2008	AMI Stadium, Christchurch, New Zealand	New Zealand	5–23	12–44	2008 June rugby union tests
2	6 February 2010	Twickenham Stadium, London, England	Wales	18–0	30–17	2010 Six Nations Championship
3	12 February 2011	Twickenham Stadium, London, England	Italy	40–6	59–13	2011 Six Nations Championship
4	23 June 2012	Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth, South Africa	South Africa	8–3	14–14	2012 June rugby union tests
5	2 February 2013	Twickenham Stadium, London, England	Scotland	36–18	38–18	2013 Six Nations Championship
6	22 February 2014	Twickenham Stadium, London, England	Ireland	11–10	13–10	2014 Six Nations Championship
7	9 March 2014	Twickenham Stadium, London, England	Wales	5–0	29–18	2014 Six Nations Championship
8	19 March 2016	Stade de France, Paris, France	France	8–3	31–21	2016 Six Nations Championship
9	26 February 2017	Twickenham Stadium, London, England	Italy	10–10	35–16	2017 Six Nations Championship
10	11 March 2017	Twickenham Stadium, London, England	Scotland	52–21	61–21	2017 Six Nations Championship
11	11 March 2017	Twickenham Stadium, London, England	Scotland	59–21	61–21	2017 Six Nations Championship
12	17 June 2017	Estadio Brigadier General Estanislao López, Santa Fe, Argentina	Argentina	23–18	35–25	2017 England rugby union tour of Argentina
13	18 November 2017	Twickenham Stadium, London, England	Australia	30–6	30–6	2017 end-of-year rugby union internationals
14	17 November 2018	Twickenham Stadium, London, England	Japan	5–0	35–15	2018 end-of-year rugby union internationals
15	7 October 2023	Stade Pierre-Mauroy, Lille, France	Samoa	16–17	18–17	2023 Rugby World Cup