Ben Bamber

Ben Bamber
Date of birth (2001-01-24) 24 January 2001 (age 23)[1]
Place of birthTrafford, England
Height207 cm (6 ft 9 in)
Weight126 kg (19 st 12 lb)[2]
Rugby union career
Position(s) Lock
Current team Sale Sharks
Youth career
2017–2019 Huddersfield Giants
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2020–2022 Bristol Bears - (-)
2021–2022 → Dings Crusaders {loan) 2 (0)
2022– Sale Sharks 20 (5)
2022–2023 → Sale FC (loan) 16 (5)
Correct as of 4 March 2024
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2024 England A 1 (0)
Correct as of 4 March 2024

Ben Bamber (born 24 January 2001) is an English professional rugby union player who plays as a Lock for Premiership Rugby club Sale Sharks.

Career

Bamber initially played rugby league and was on the books of his boyhood club, Huddersfield Giants in 2018.[3] He was spotted by scout Alan Tait who recommended him to Pat Lam at Bristol Bears and although initially reluctant to change codes to rugby union he did eventually sign.[4] In June 2020, he was promoted to train with the senior Bristol Bears squad.[5] In 2021, he signed a dual-registration contract to allow him to play on loan at Dings Crusaders in Lockleaze.[6] However, he injured his shoulder and despite recovering, quickly injured the other shoulder at an England U20 training session and demoralised, briefly quit the game. He worked, amongst other things, as a shelf-stacker in Flixton, Greater Manchester.[4]

After a trial with Sale Sharks in March 2022, Bamber signed a full-time contract with the club.[4] He made his debut for Sale that season in the Premiership Rugby Cup.[7] During the 2022-23 season he played on loan at Sale FC Rugby Club in National League 1 where he impressed, being awarded the Supporters’ Player of the Year.[4][8] In February 2023, he signed a new contract with Sale Sharks.[9] In December 2023, he made his first European Champions Cup start for Sale Sharks against Stade Français.[10] Bamber was named as the RPA 15 Under 23 MVP of the month for April.[11]

International career

On 1 January 2021, Bamber was called up to the England U20 squad although he did not make an appearance due to a shoulder injury.[12][13] In February 2024 he played for the England A side against Portugal.[14]

References

  1. ^ "Ben Bamber". Ultimate Rugby. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  2. ^ "Ben Bamber". all.rugby. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  3. ^ Booth, Mel (21 February 2018). "Huddersfield Giants Academy hoping to go one better against Newcastle Thunder". Examiner Live. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  4. ^ a b c d Schofield, Daniel (27 December 2023). "Ben Bamber: Two years ago I was stacking crates of wine – now I'm playing for Sale". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  5. ^ Baker, Max (3 June 2020). "Bristol Bears confirm retained list with 20 players departing". Bristol Post. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  6. ^ "Fifteen Senior Academy players sign dual-registrations". Bristol Bears Rugby. 23 September 2021. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  7. ^ "Preview: HARLEQUINS V SALE SHARKS - PREMIERSHIP RUGBY CUP ROUND 5". Premiershiprugby.com. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  8. ^ "Sale FC Annual Awards Evening". Salefc.com. 8 May 2023. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  9. ^ "Sale Sharks confirm new contracts for 20 players". Ruck.co.uk. 16 February 2023. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  10. ^ Jones, Spencer (10 December 2023). "Local lads and life lessons – why Sale Sharks academy is thriving". The Times. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  11. ^ "15 Under 23". The RPA. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
  12. ^ Savage, Angus (4 January 2021). "England U20: Stars to look out for as Dickens names 2020 EPS". NextgenXV. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  13. ^ Jones, David (3 January 2021). "Promising England Rugby U20 future". Lastwordonsports. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  14. ^ "England A vs Portugal: Charlie Ewels to captain England A's first match since 2016". BBC Sport. 23 February 2024. Retrieved 4 March 2024.