Key Facts
| Squad | Harlequins |
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| Position | Scrum half |
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| Age | 29 |
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| Height | 1.75m (5'9") |
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| Weight | 87kg (13st 9lb) |
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| Caps | 0 Test appearances |
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Chances to shine come in the most unexpected way and Karl Dickson seized his at the start of this season when Danny Care damaged his big toe playing for England in the Rugby World Cup preparatory match at the Millennium Stadium last August.
Salisbury-born Karl made eight appearances in quick succession before injuring a finger and Conor O’Shea, the Harlequins directorof rugby, said: “I truly believe that Karl is among the best five scrum halves in the country in his own right.”
The older brother of England Elite Squad member and fellow scrum half Lee, he has made 27 appearances for Harlequins. Their father Steve, who recently retired as a major in the Royal Signals and mum Shirley both watch the brothers play as often as possible.
Of the five former Bedford Blues in the original England Saxons and Elite squads this winter, Karl was the selection that pleased the Blues’ director of rugby Mike Rayer the most. He emerged through the club’s academy and made more than 100 appearances in a five-year span at Goldington Road. Karl moved to Harlequins in 2009 and in September 2010 signed a contract extension until at least 2013.
Rayer said: “Dicko is a great story. He came through hereas a young man, worked his way up and we are really pleased for him.”
In January last year, Karl, who was educated at Barnard Castle School, had a special distinction. He scored two tries for Harlequins in the 38-13 win over London Wasps in the LV=Cup. It was made more distinctive by the match being played at Abu Dhabi, thus becoming the first domestic fixture to be staged overseas.
