Alex Dombrandt

Alex Joseph Dombrandt (born 29 April 1997) is an English rugby union player for Harlequins in Premiership Rugby. His primary position is number 8. Early years and education Dombrandt began playing rugby age six for Warlingham R.F.C. in Surrey, originally a hooker he also played fullback before switching into the forwards pack. He attended The John Fisher School as a pupil. He played no rugby for representative sides or a professional academy before joining Cardiff Metropolitan University in 2015. He played for Wales under 20s in the 2017 Six Nations, qualifying as a resident student at a Welsh university. However he has no birth, family or residency qualifications to play for Wales at Test level. Senior playing career In February 2018 Harlequins announced Dombrandt's signature for the following season. Dombrandt's form for Harlequins led to calls from Stuart Barnes and others for him to be included in the England international squad. On 2 June 2019 Dombrandt made his England debut, playing in a non-cap match against the Barbarians, in which he scored two tries. In June 2019 he was one of four uncapped players named in England's preliminary World Cup training squad. Dombrandt reduced his weight from 130kg (at university) to 120kg by the 2019-2020 season.