Robert John Harley (born 26 May 1990) is a Scotland international rugby union player for Colomiers in the Pro D2. He previously played for Glasgow Warriors and is their most capped player. He also played for US Carcassonne. He plays as a flanker but can also cover lock.[1]
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| Birth name | Robert John Harley | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Date of birth | 26 May 1990 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Crewe, Cheshire, England | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 112 kg (17 st 9 lb; 247 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Rugby Union career
editAmateur career
editHarley was drafted to Glasgow Hawks in the Scottish Premiership for the 2017–18 season.[2]
Harley was drafted to Currie in the Scottish Premiership for the 2018–19 season.[3]
Professional career
editGlasgow Warriors
editHe made his Warriors debut on 3 September 2010, winning at home against Leinster. He has the Glasgow Warrior No. 188.
A tough tackling back row and lock forward, Harley was a fan favourite. Often underestimated to the cost of opposition teams and players. Harley provided teams with continuity of attacking ball and intelligence in defence, cutting off attacking options and space forcing opposition to run into numbers in defence. Speed of thought in lineout play also assisted other players to shine with lineout steals due to his movement and lifting. He was the first player to have played 200 times and 250 times for Glasgow Warriors as his unselfish play helps the team play better. Frequently overlooked at national level, he doesn't do the flash work often delivering what needs done for the whole game due to huge fitness and drive.
Harley scored the first try of the 2014/15 Pro12 final which Glasgow Warriors went on to win. He gained his 200th cap for the Warriors on Sunday 13 January 2019 against Cardiff Blues in the European Champions Cup which they won 33 -24. He played his 250th game v Edinburgh in May 2021. His final season with the Warriors saw him end his tally on 267 caps, a club record.[4]
US Carcassone
editOn 14 June 2022 it was announced that Harley had signed for French side Union Sportive Carcassonnaise in a two-year deal.[1]
US Colomiers
editOn 31 July 2023 it was announced that Harley had signed for Colomiers.[5]
Old Glory DC
editOn 19 September 2023 Old Glory DC announced that they had signed Harley for MLR 2024.[6]
International career
editAfter some good performances for Glasgow in his debut season he earned a call up to the Scotland senior squad for the 2011 Six Nations Championship. Harley scored a match-winning try on his Scotland debut, against Samoa in June 2012.[7] He was picked throughout the 2015 6 Nations Championship. His most recent cap was against Georgia in 2020.
References
edit- ^ a b @USCXV (14 June 2022). "Du haut de ses 1m98 et de ses 112kg, le deuxième ligne de 32 ans, Robert Harley, en provenance des Glasgow Warriors et international écossais apportera son expérience au groupe Carcassonnais pour 2 saisons !" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ "Glasgow Warriors | Pro-player draft". www.glasgowwarriors.com.
- ^ "Tennent's Premiership clubs decide pro-player draft | Scottish Rugby Union". www.scottishrugby.org. Archived from the original on 2 September 2018.
- ^ Bathgate, Stuart (29 March 2022). "Rob Harley to leave Glasgow at end of season". The Offside Line.
- ^ "Joker Coupe du monde – Rob Harley | Colomiers Rugby". Retrieved 15 January 2024.
- ^ @OldGloryDC (19 September 2023). "Old Glory is excited to announce the signing of Scottish National and most capped Glasgow Warrior, with 267 appearances, Rob Harley, to the DC squad for #MLR2024" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ "Scotland's Rob Harley delighted with try against Samoa". BBC Sport. BBC. 23 June 2012. Retrieved 21 May 2017.