David Strettle's rugby career in England began at the age of 5. The wing from Warrington is credited with quick feet and an electric pace that have drawn comparisons to England great David Duckham. The Rugby Football Union reports that Strettle's ability to "pop up in unorthodox positions" and quickly change direction has "bemused many defenders." However, injuries have hampered his play and international ambitions.
Vital Statistics
Strettle was born on July 23, 1983, in Warrington, North Cheshire, England, and grew up in the small suburban village of Thelwall. In early 2011, the Rugby Football Union listed his height at 1.86 m, or 6 feet 1 inch, and his weight at 87 kg, or 191 lbs. As of early 2011, he was playing wing for the Saracens and had earned six caps with an international record of five points.
Early Years
The RFU reports that Strettle got his start in rugby at 5 when he began playing rugby league. He later switched to Lymm RUFC and had football trials for Manchester City, Everton and Liverpool. Strettle attended Lymm High School and earned a sport science degree from Sheffield Hallam University. In 2003, he was picked up by the Rotherham Titans. He scored a hat trick of tries in his debut and made a name for himself in the Premiership and National One.
Later Years
Strettle joined the Harlequins for the 2006-07 season, and in 2007 was named the RPA young player of the year. He made his test debut in 2007 playing for England against Ireland at Croke Park. He scored a try in a heavy defeat for England. As of early 2011, his last test was in 2008, when England took on New Zealand at Auckland. Strettle played for the Harlequins from 2006 to 2010. During that time, he was in the starting lineup for 56 of the 59 matches played. He scored 70 points and 14 tries for the Harlequins and had a record of 29 wins, 28 losses and two draws. Strettle moved to the rival Saracens for the 2010-11 season. In his first 10 matches, he scored 15 points and three tries. One of the tries came in his debut against the Sale Sharks as a second-half substitute.
Injuries
Injuries have plagued Strettle throughout his career. He suffered an ankle injury while playing for the Harlequins his first season but recovered in time to tour South Africa in the summer of 2007. The RFU reports that he wound up watching both test matches on television while in isolation at the team hotel after being hospitalized for a "non-specific virus." He was ruled out of the 2007 Rugby World Cup due to a broken bone in his left foot. His international play was disrupted again when he suffered an injury in the opening game of the 2008 Six Nations against Wales.
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