Key Facts
| Squad | Harlequins |
|---|
| Position | Centre |
|---|
| Age | 28 |
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| Height | 1.78m (5'10") |
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| Weight | 90kg (14st 2lb) |
|---|
| Caps | 0 Test appearances |
|---|
A newcomer to the
England Saxons squad, Matt Hopper has enjoyed a season of whirlwind success
with Harlequins, the club he joined last summer from Championship club Cornish
Pirates. By the end of January this year when he received the Saxons’ call,
Matt had made 11 appearances for Harlequins.
His had marked
his first senior start with a try against Gloucester in round two of the
Heineken Cup last November, having first worn the jersey of many colours in a
pre season friendly against Castres. His experience spans a spell with Plymouth
Albion and a year in Australia during which he played for Manly in the Sydney
Premiership.
Matt did not
feature in the Harlequins side until he figured off the bench in the LV=Cup
match against Sale Sharks last October before an injury to centre George Lowe
gave him a route into the side. Being chosen in the Saxons’ squad rewards
Matt’s all round skills that feature purposeful running, deft footwork and
staunch tackling.
It also came with
perfect timing because the first of this winter’s two matches against Ireland
Wolfhounds was being staged at Sandy Park, Exeter, the city of Matt’s birth.
The game came on the eve of his 27th birthday. Not only that, his father Keith
captained Exeter Chiefs in the 1960s and Matt played for their junior sides and
for Wessex, a local club, before he went to Cardiff University.
Matt could be
placed in the ‘late developer’ category but his self belief has been
unwavering. He excelled for the Pirates’ side beaten in the Championship play
offs last season by Worcester Warriors before making a seamless step up a level
to Harlequins.
He said after his
Saxons’ call: “I’ve always had confidence in my own ability. I’m grateful to
Harlequins for giving me the chance I hope I’ve repaid them over the past
couple of months. So far there have been plenty of highlights, making my first
start in the Heineken Cup, playing for Harlequins in front of 80,000 at
Twickenham and winning at Toulouse was the most special. I’m sure it will go
down in the club’s history."
