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Carl Kirwan arrives at Kingsey Road tasked with Defensive excellence….

Carl Kirwan arrives at Kingsey Road tasked with Defensive excellence….

STEVEN TRENCHARD6 Jun 2019 - 18:19
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The 28 year old flanker first broke into the Professional game with Rotherham Titans.

Carl played 44 games over 2 seasons for Rotherham before moving to local shores with London Welsh. The 28 year old flanker first broke into the Professional game with Rotherham Titans playing 44 games over 2 seasons before moving to local shores with London Welsh. After winning the Bristol Premiership playoff game in his first season, Carl was then made Captain for London Welsh’s Premiership season amassing 40 games over the 2 seasons.

Signing for Worcester Warriors in 2015 Carl had a successful first season featuring heavily in Europe then starting 10 Premiership games post Christmas becoming an exciting Premiership talent. Carrying on where he left off Carl started the first 8 games of the following season before dislocating his shoulder against The Dragons in December 2016. An unfortunate turn of events followed and Carl did not play again for 2 years.

At the end of 2018 Carl had finally come through 12 weeks of training and several A league games and was declared fit to play making his long awaited return against Pau in the European Challenge Cup. Thereafter Carl featured in 8 games including 2 games on loan for Ealing Trailfinders marking his return to the top flight.

Standing at 6ft 3 inches and weighing 110kg, Carl is an all action player equally happy playing across the backrow. A quick, dynamic ball carrier but it’s in defence where Carl excels with the reputation as a ferocious defender with a big work rate.

"Having come through such a tough time I feel in a great place physically and mentally. Having played several games post Christmas my drive and hunger could not be greater. I’m really looking forward to starting a new chapter in my life and I hope I can give my all in helping a club with such aspirations. Matt has set up a class squad and when he offered me the opportunity to also coach in an area I love the most, defence, it was a no brainer!”

Director of Rugby Matt Williams added, “It’s not a secret our defence was not good enough last season and I’ve been looking for someone to come on board as ‘D’ specialist. Carl is a player who is still good enough to playing in the Premiership. After speaking to him and hearing the drive and focus for excellence that still lights his fire particularly after everything he has been through, I knew he was what I was looking for. Not only is Carl’s defensive knowledge excellent but so is his personal game. He will not take a backward step and more than lead from the front!”

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