Chandler Cunningham-South Explained

Chandler Cunningham-South
Birth Date:18 March 2003
Birth Place:Sidcup, England
Height:1.930NaN0[1]
Weight:1200NaN0
School:Hamilton Boys' High School
University:Lincoln University
Position:Flanker, Number 8, Lock
Currentclub:Harlequins
Years1:2022–2023
Clubs1:London Irish
Apps1:25
Points1:15
Years2:2023–
Clubs2:Harlequins
Apps2:18
Points2:0
Repyears1:2022–2023
Repteam1:England U20
Repcaps1:14
Reppoints1:15
Repyears2:2024–
Repteam2:England
Repcaps2:5
Reppoints2:5
Clubupdate:27 April 2024
Repupdate:03 July 2024

Chandler Cunningham-South (born 18 March 2003) is an English professional rugby union player who plays as a flanker for Premiership Rugby club Harlequins and the England national team.[2]

Early life

Cunningham-South was born in Sidcup and at the age of four his family emigrated to New Zealand. His family have a farm holding in Wellsford, north of Auckland. His father, Richard, once coached him for Silverdale RFC. He did most of his ground work at Hamilton Boys' High School and attended Westlake Boys High School.[3] [4]

Cunningham-South played for the North Harbour under-18s, Canterbury under-19s and Lincoln University in Christchurch, and trained with NZ Warriors in Rugby League.[3] [5]

Club career

In February 2022 Cunningham-South joined the London Irish academy.[6] [7] He made his senior club debut in May 2022 and went on to make nineteen Premiership appearances during the 2022–2023 season, scoring three tries.[7] [8]

In the summer of 2023 London Irish encountered financial issues and in June 2023 it was confirmed that Cunningham-South would leave for Harlequins.[7] [9]

In April 2024, he put in a standout performance in Harlequins 42-41 defeat of Bordeaux Bègles. It was only the second time overall and the first time away that the club had won a knockout stage game in the European Champions Cup reaching the semi finals for the first time.[10] In May 2024, he was nominated for the Premiership Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Season Award.[11]

International career

Cunningham-South represented England U20 during the 2022 Under-20 Six Nations.[12] [13] The following year saw him score a try in the opening round of the 2023 tournament victory over Scotland.[14] He was a member of the squad that recorded a fourth place finish at the 2023 World Rugby U20 Championship and scored a try in the semi-final defeat against France.[15]

Cunningham-South received his first call-up to the senior England squad for the 2024 Six Nations Championship.[16] On 3 February 2024 he made his Test debut coming off the bench as a second-half replacement for Sam Underhill in the opening round of the tournament against Italy at Stadio Olimpico.[17] He made his first test start against Japan on 22 June 2024, and scored the opening try in a 52-17 win.[18]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Chandler Cunningham-South. All.Rugby. 17 June 2023.
  2. Web site: Chandler Cunningham-South. London Irish. 17 June 2023.
  3. Web site: Morgan. Charlie. Chandler Cunningham-South: 'I'm getting paid to hit people – it's the best job in the world'. subscription. 17 February 2023. 30 July 2023. The Daily Telegraph.
  4. News: Chandler Cunningham-South: From ‘lazy’ Kiwi to next Courtney Lawes. subscription. Alex. Lowe. The Times. 16 December 2023. 16 December 2023.
  5. Web site: The 'cheery, jolly' 20-year-old Kiwi making rapid strides at Irish. Liam. Heagney. 23 October 2022. 17 June 2023. Rugby Pass.
  6. Web site: Exeter Chiefs linked with move to sign London Irish's rising star of English rugby. John. Evely. 16 June 2023. 17 June 2023. Devon Live.
  7. News: Lovejoy Chawatama, Chandler Cunningham-South & Will Joseph: Harlequins sign former London Irish trio. BBC Sport. 22 June 2023. 30 July 2023.
  8. Web site: Cunningham-South adding to his reputation. Paul. Rees. 23 October 2022. 17 June 2023. The Rugby Paper.
  9. Web site: Berkshire RFU and Rams RFC chairman ‘saddened’ by London Irish’s administration. Wokingham.today. 17 June 2023. 16 June 2023.
  10. Web site: Investec Champions Cup: Bordeaux 41-42 Harlequins - Quins win thriller to reach semi-finals . BBC Sport . 14 April 2024.
  11. Web site: Lawes, Smith, Russell & Slade on awards shortlist. 22 May 2024. 20 May 2024.
  12. News: Chandler Cunningham-South gives Steve Borthwick view into future with brutish display. subscription. Charles. Russell. The Daily Telegraph. 29 January 2023. 17 June 2023.
  13. Web site: Under-20 Six Nations: England U20s 43-14 Wales U20s. BBC Sport. 25 February 2022. 30 July 2023.
  14. Web site: Under-20 Six Nations: England U20s 41-36 Scotland U20s. Sky Sports. 3 February 2023. 30 July 2023.
  15. News: England’s next generation: The U20 stars of tomorrow who could break into Steve Borthwick’s squad. subscription. Ben. Coles. The Daily Telegraph. 10 July 2023. 30 July 2023.
  16. Web site: England Six Nations squad: Jamie George captain, Billy Vunipola & Kyle Sinckler dropped. BBC Sport. 17 January 2024. 15 March 2024.
  17. Web site: Six Nations 2024: 'Brilliant England careers' ahead for five Rome debutants, says Steve Borthwick. BBC Sport. 3 February 2024. 4 February 2024. Alastair. Telfer.
  18. Web site: Smith stars as England cruise past Japan in Tokyo. BBC Sport. 22 June 2024. 22 June 2024.