Darren Garforth
Encyclopedia
Darren Garforth is a former international rugby union
footballer who played tighthead prop for Leicester Tigers
and England
.
Garforth was born in Coventry
, signed for Leicester Tigers
and made his Leicester debut against Northampton Saints
in 1991. He would go on to make over 300 appearances for the club. Wearing the C shirt, as part of the ABC club with Graham Rowntree
(A) and Richard Cockerill
(B). He was an important part of Tigers side which won the English league four times and the Heineken Cup
twice.
Garforth made his England debut on 15 March 1997 against Wales
. Garforth was eventually dropped from the England side in favour of Phil Vickery
, but would continue to make some caps, his 25th and final cap coming against in 2000.
He was offered the chance to tour North America with England in 2001 but turned down the opportunity, which went to Leicester team-mate Ricky Nebbett
instead.
After leaving Leicester in 2003, he moved to second division Nuneaton
as player-coach. Tigers signed England prop Julian White
as a replacement.
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
footballer who played tighthead prop for Leicester Tigers
Leicester Tigers
Leicester Tigers is an English rugby union club that plays in the Aviva Premiership.Leicester are the most successful English club since the introduction of league rugby in 1987, a record 9 times English champions - 3 more than either Bath or Wasps, the last of which was in 2010...
and England
England national rugby union team
The England national rugby union team represents England in rugby union. They compete in the annual Six Nations Championship with France, Ireland, Scotland, Italy, and Wales. They have won this championship on 26 occasions, 12 times winning the Grand Slam, making them the most successful team in...
.
Garforth was born in Coventry
Coventry
Coventry is a city and metropolitan borough in the county of West Midlands in England. Coventry is the 9th largest city in England and the 11th largest in the United Kingdom. It is also the second largest city in the English Midlands, after Birmingham, with a population of 300,848, although...
, signed for Leicester Tigers
Leicester Tigers
Leicester Tigers is an English rugby union club that plays in the Aviva Premiership.Leicester are the most successful English club since the introduction of league rugby in 1987, a record 9 times English champions - 3 more than either Bath or Wasps, the last of which was in 2010...
and made his Leicester debut against Northampton Saints
Northampton Saints
Northampton Saints are a professional rugby union club from Northampton, England. The Northampton Saints were formed in 1880. They play in green, black and gold colours. They play their home games at Franklin's Gardens, which has a capacity of 13,591....
in 1991. He would go on to make over 300 appearances for the club. Wearing the C shirt, as part of the ABC club with Graham Rowntree
Graham Rowntree
Graham Christopher Rowntree is a former English rugby union player. He played loosehead prop for Leicester Tigers and England. He was capped 54 times for England, despite having to compete for his position with the world's second most capped player, Jason Leonard.Rowntree was born in...
(A) and Richard Cockerill
Richard Cockerill
Richard Cockerill is a former English rugby union footballer who played as a hooker.Cockerill was born in Rugby. Joining Leicester Tigers, he established himself as the B of the "ABC club" alongside Graham Rowntree and Darren Garforth .He made his England debut against Argentina in 1997 and...
(B). He was an important part of Tigers side which won the English league four times and the Heineken Cup
Heineken Cup
The Heineken Cup is one of two annual rugby union competitions organised by European Rugby Cup involving leading club, regional and provincial teams from the six International Rugby Board countries in Europe whose national teams compete in the Six Nations Championship: England, France, Ireland,...
twice.
Garforth made his England debut on 15 March 1997 against Wales
Wales national rugby union team
The Wales national rugby union team represent Wales in international rugby union tournaments. They compete annually in the Six Nations Championship with England, France, Ireland, Italy and Scotland. Wales have won the Six Nations and its predecessors 24 times outright, second only to England with...
. Garforth was eventually dropped from the England side in favour of Phil Vickery
Phil Vickery (rugby player)
Philip John Vickery MBE is a former English rugby union tighthead prop and member of the England squad. He was a member of England's World Cup winning squad in 2003, playing in all seven matches in the tournament, and is a former England captain. Vickery ended his club rugby career at Wasps,...
, but would continue to make some caps, his 25th and final cap coming against in 2000.
He was offered the chance to tour North America with England in 2001 but turned down the opportunity, which went to Leicester team-mate Ricky Nebbett
Ricky Nebbett
Ricky Nebbett is a rugby union player for Harlequins in the Guinness Premiership.Ricky Nebbett's position of choice is as a prop.-External links:* *...
instead.
After leaving Leicester in 2003, he moved to second division Nuneaton
Nuneaton R.F.C.
Nuneaton RFC is an English rugby union club. They were founded in 1879 and play at Liberty Way in Nuneaton. They currently play in National League 2 North.-History:...
as player-coach. Tigers signed England prop Julian White
Julian White
Julian White MBE is an English rugby union footballer who plays prop for Leicester Tigers and England.White is regarded as one of the most powerful forwards in the game...
as a replacement.