Key Facts
| Squad | Northampton Saints |
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| Position | Hooker |
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| Age | 18 |
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| Height | 1.84m (6'0") |
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| Weight | 96kg (15st 1lb) |
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| Caps | |
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Inspiration for Reece Marshall comes from his father Ian. Reece said: “He played for Bedford Blues around the 1980s and also had a trial for England U21. That encourages me to go as far – if not further. He also guided me as a coach at Dunstablians all the way from U9 to U16.”
Reece, a new member of this season’s England U18 squad was initially an unused replacement when the side beat France 18-16 at Fylde in late February this year. His debut was off the bench in the Scotland match the following month before he played as a replacement against Georgia in the FIRA/AER European Championship in Madrid.
Luton-born Reece is at Moulton College studying for a BTEC Subsidiary Diploma in Sport (Level 3). His previous education was at Ashton Middle School and Manshead Upper School in Dunstable and he played for Dunstablians (2000-2010). He has represented England U16A, Bedfordshire U14 and U15, East Midlands U16 and Midlands U16.
Originally a prop, he was told he was too small for that role, switched to hooker and fittingly admires England’s Dylan Hartley. Reece continued: “I think he’s a great leader and is someone I try to model my game on, plus my mates say I look like him when I’m playing. I am also impressed with the back row work rate of Lewis Moody. I try to act as an extra back row.”
His other guiding influences include Grant Seely, who chose him for a trial at the Saints Academy. Mike Coogan, a Midlands and Dunstablians coach, helped him along and Alan Dickens and Mark Hopley, present coaches at Northampton, are also key figures in his development.
He has also played rugby league and picked up 15-a-side honours for Dunstablians in various tournaments including those in Wales and France. Reece has been voted player of the year and players’ player of the year twice each at Dunstablians. A keen Liverpool football supporter, he wants to play rugby professionally but is also "really interested in property developing".
He admits he "would need to make money to do that" though.
Last updated: April 11, 2012.
