Samuel Gregory Underhill (born 22 July 1996) is a professional rugby union player who plays as a flanker for Premiership Rugby club Bath. Born in the United States when his father served overseas in the Royal Air Force, he moved back to the UK aged 1 year old. He was brought up in Peterborough and then moved to Gloucestershire where he played for Sir Thomas Rich's School, Longlevens RFC and Gloucester Academy. He represents England at international level.

Sam Underhill
Full nameSamuel Gregory Underhill
Date of birth (1996-07-22) 22 July 1996 (age 28)
Place of birthDayton, Ohio, United States
Height1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)[1]
Weight106 kg (234 lb; 16 st 10 lb)[1]
SchoolSir Thomas Rich's School
UniversityUniversity of Bath
Rugby union career
Position(s) Flanker
Current team Bath
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2014–2015 Gloucester 2 (0)
2015–2017 Ospreys 37 (20)
2017– Bath 112 (75)
Correct as of 26 February 2024
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2014 England U18 9 (10)
2017– England 33 (5)
Correct as of 26 February 2024
Medal record
Men's Rugby union
Representing  England
Rugby World Cup
Silver medal – second place 2019 Japan Squad
Bronze medal – third place 2023 France Squad

Club career

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At the age of just 17, Underhill made his debut for Gloucester in the Anglo-Welsh Cup,[2] before making his Premiership debut at the age of 18.[2]

At the beginning of the 2015–16 season, Underhill joined Welsh Pro12 team Ospreys.[2] He made his debut against Ulster and was man of the match in his first start for the team, against Munster.[2]

On 11 January 2017, it was confirmed that Underhill would join English side Bath for the 2017–18 season.[3]

International career

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Underhill captained England U18s during their successful 2014 FIRA tournament and played nine times during an unbeaten season, including scoring a try on debut in a player of the match performance against Scotland, captaining the team to a win in the FIRA tournament and a win against South Africa.[2]

Underhill was called up to the senior England squad by coach Eddie Jones for their 2017 summer tour of Argentina.[4] He made his senior debut in the final test of the tour as England defeated Argentina to win the series 2–0.[5][6]

On 12 August 2019, Underhill was named in Eddie Jones' 31-man squad for the 2019 Rugby World Cup.[7] He was one of the stars of the semi-final victory over New Zealand, helping England to reach their first World Cup final since 2007.[2][8] Underhill started in the 2019 Rugby World Cup Final as England were defeated by South Africa to finish runners up.[9]

After the World Cup Underhill was a member of the squad that won the 2020 Six Nations Championship and later that year he started for the England side that defeated France in extra-time to win the Autumn Nations Cup.[10][11] In July 2021 he scored his first try at International level in a game against the United States.[12]

Career statistics

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List of international tries

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No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition Ref.
1 4 July 2021 Twickenham Stadium, London, England   United States 5–3 43–29 2021 July rugby union tests [12]

as of 16 November 2021[13]

Honours

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England

References

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  1. ^ a b "Club profile". Bath Rugby. Retrieved 27 September 2019.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Iles, Robert (1 November 2019). "Sam Underhill's journey from Gloucester schoolboy to Rugby World Cup finalist with England". Gloucestershire Live. Retrieved 7 October 2021.
  3. ^ "Bath agree deal to sign Osprey openside flanker Sam Underhill". BBC Sport. 11 January 2017. Retrieved 5 March 2017.
  4. ^ "England v Argentina: Dylan Hartley, Joe Launchbury & George Ford in squad". BBC Sport. 20 April 2017. Retrieved 20 April 2017.
  5. ^ Aylwin, Michael (15 June 2017). "Sam Underhill to make England debut in Argentina as Chris Robshaw returns". The Guardian. Retrieved 12 May 2022.
  6. ^ Aylwin, Michael (17 June 2017). "Will Collier try seals second Test and series win for England in Argentina". The Guardian. Retrieved 12 May 2022.
  7. ^ de Menezes, Jack (12 August 2019). "England Rugby World Cup squad announcement LIVE - Latest news and updates". The Independent. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  8. ^ Fordyce, Tom (26 October 2019). "England 19-7 New Zealand: Eddie Jones' side beat All Blacks to reach World Cup final". BBC Sport. Retrieved 12 May 2022.
  9. ^ a b Fordyce, Tom (2 November 2019). "England 12-32 South Africa: Springboks win World Cup for record-equalling third time". BBC Sport. Retrieved 12 May 2022.
  10. ^ a b Grey, Becky (31 October 2020). "Italy 5-34 England: Visitors' victory proves enough to win Six Nations title". BBC Sport. Retrieved 12 May 2022.
  11. ^ a b Henson, Mike (6 December 2020). "Autumn Nations Cup: England beat France in sudden death". BBC Sport. Retrieved 12 May 2022.
  12. ^ a b Grey, Becky (4 July 2021). "England 43-29 United States". BBC Sport. Retrieved 12 May 2022.
  13. ^ "ESPN profile:Sam Underhill". ESPN Scrum. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
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