After coming through trials at Langley School, Joe Plunkett joined the Leicester Tigers programme as a 13-year-old and came through the DPP groups to earn place in the academy in 2019.

“Tim Malone, James Knight and Ryan Oakes were really helpful as coaches all the way through,” says Joe who also played at his local club at North Walsham RFC and spent time as a back-rower before switching to hooker.

Getting to know you

Who was your favourite rugby player growing up?
Dane Coles

If you could play alongside any rugby player in the world, who would it be?
Dan Carter

What do you like most about rugby compared with other sports?
I enjoyed playing in the same team as my mates, a lot of us were together from the age of about five and came all the way through together.