Free Jacks have added young and physical Harry Barlow to the playing roster for the 2021 and 2022 seasons in Major League Rugby. US-eligible Barlow will join New England from the English Premiership side Harlequins. He qualifies for the United States through a grandfather born in San Francisco and currently has family members residing in the U.S.
The 20-year-old wing/center (21 in March) is 5’10” and 200 lbs. He was born and raised in Guildford outside of London and attended the Cranleigh Prep School, a co-educational independent English boarding school in the village of Cranleigh, Surrey.
Harry began playing rugby with the Cranleigh Rugby Club since the age of 11. He played youth rugby in many positions in the backline, however, when he was 14, he predominately was at center and wing with an occasional time at no. 8.
Harry graduated from Cranleigh Prep School in 2018 and helped the sevens team win back-to-back Rosslyn Park National Sevens titles in 2016 and 2017, as well as being the runners-up in 2018. He was also vice-captain of Cranleigh’s 2018 unbeaten XVs season.
He attended the Harlequins Academy since age 13 and represented England at the U16, U17, U18, and U19 age-levels was the vice-captain of the U16s, competed in 2018 U18 Six Nations Championship, and was with the youth 7s squad at the 2017 Junior Commonwealth Games at the Bahamas.
Following his graduation, he signed a two-year contract with the Harlequins senior squad and featured for the team at the Premiership Sevens in 2018 and 2019. He also was part of the 2019 Quins Sevens side that won the London Floodlit Sevens.
New England Free Jack Comments
“I’m honored to have the opportunity to play with the Free Jacks and join MLR at a really exciting time,” commented Barlow. “I’ve been following the team since the inaugural season and see the exciting brand of rugby they play and the drive that the whole organization has on and off the field. I’m proud of my American roots with family in the States, and I’m buzzing to have the chance to play rugby in such an exciting league. I’m already counting down the days to jump over to Boston, and I’m looking forward to linking up with the team to create new memories and build on the Free Jacks’ successes to date.”
“I always look forward to the opportunity to learn from experienced players and coaches,” added Barlow. “At Quins, at the Free Jacks, from coaches and players, my overall goal is to be as enthusiastic as I can and learn from those around me, bringing 100 percent intensity and using my speed and footwork where I can.”
“Harry ‘The Gentleman’ Barlow comes to the Free Jacks loving to score a try,” noted Free Jacks Head Coach, Ryan Martin. “Harry brings exactly the attitude I love in my outside backs, dynamic, hard-working, eager to learn, and fiercely driven. Harry is a top young man and an exciting player with a bright future ahead. His ability to deceptively change pace and direction lends itself to many a line break. His effective spot tackling and defensive line speed will pressure teams across the league in the midfield.”
Join Harry and the Free Jacks for a virtual meet and greet, “News and Brews,” on Thursday, August 13th. Grab a Free Jacks IPA and join the virtual gathering and get to know the newest Free Jacks and the returning players. RSVP using the link here: https://www.freejacks.com/news-and-brews/.
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