Key Facts
| Squad | Gloucester Rugby |
|---|
| Position | Prop |
|---|
| Age | 27 |
|---|
| Height | 1.91m (6'3") |
|---|
| Weight | 118kg (18st 8lb) |
|---|
| Caps | 0 Test appearances |
|---|
Thoughts of joining the Army waned
when the opportunity for a professional rugby career arose for Rupert Harden, a
former grounds man with a History degree. Born in Melbourne to an Australian
father and English mother, he was raised on the family farm in Penrith, Cumbria
and educated in London before sixth form studies at Rugby School were followed
with those at Newcastle University.
He said: “After being at university, I went to Newcastle
Falcons but as an extended member of their academy I was on the fringes. I was
at Tynedale at the time and that’s what I count as my home club. They gave me a
part-time grounds keeping job to keep me going.”
Then Gloucester made contact with him after he had been
produced two impressive performances against Cinderford, the Cherry &
Whites’ neighbours. Rupert, an England Counties player, continued: “They signed
me and sent me off to Moseley on loan, which is what I needed. It was
Championship level anyway.” Up to the end of January this year, he had made 29
appearances for Gloucester and not looked back.
His parents had met during his father’s stint in
the British Army. Rupert almost went in a similar direction. He continued:
“There are a lot of similarities between rugby and the Army – working hard and
being in it together. I don’t think I could do a desk job for 40 years.”
