Born in Liverpool but raised around the world, Holden’s interest in rugby was first piqued on an Army base in Cyprus, where his mother had a teaching job and the Royal Welsh regiment introduced him to the sport.
But it was a move to the Netherlands that set him on the path to playing professionally, with Holden representing the Dutch at youth level before moving to Hartpury.
At Hartpury, the 25-year old played with Italian internationals Jake Polledri and Seb Negri and won two BUCS titles. From Hartpury, he spent three years at Cornish Pirates and has now joined the Knights, bringing him closer to his Scouse roots.
“Pirate is a special club and there are some really good people involved and I could have stayed there, I didn’t necessarily want to leave – but I wanted to challenge myself and improve and I felt the best place to do that was here,” he said of his move to Castle Park.
This story is from the August 08, 2021 edition of The Rugby Paper.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the August 08, 2021 edition of The Rugby Paper.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
It was an honour to reach the 400-mark
IF I am being honest I never grew up dreaming of playing for Pontypridd, not even once let alone 401 times (one of only seven players to do so in the club’s 150 year history).
Ukraine go close against Sweden
UKRAINE pushed Sweden all the way but fell just short against the Rugby Europe Trophy table toppers in Trelleborg, the southernmost port of Sweden.
Esher on top to seal title triumph
SUPER Esher ran out comfortable winners in this pulsating end-to-end top of-the-table clash to secure the National 2 East title and promotion back to National League 1.
The pinball wizard who can fire Exeter
The pinball wizard who can fire Exeter
Minnows in line for a World Cup boost
WORLD RUGBY aims to streamline the Rugby World Cup qualification process to give nonhigh performance nations even more time to prepare for the next tournament in Australia.
Green seizes day for dazzling Quins
HARLEQUINS reached their first Champions Cup semi-final after shattering perceptions of a free-running side with a soft underbelly by taking on a team that had twice overpowered Saracens at forward and destroying their scrum.
Ramm: We are up for a fight to the finish
JAMES Ramm believes Northampton’s exploits in the Champions Cup will boost their bid to not only make the Premiership play-offs again but secure a home draw.
Coming to grief on the road to Morocco
Mark Stevens talks to Exeter chairman Tony Rowe about his love of classic rallying across all corners of the world
Dawson: George is England's catalyst
FORMER England captain and scrumhalf Matt Dawson says skipper Jamie George has been the “catalyst” for the country’s recent turnaround.
We won't stop until the final whistle - Yeandle
CHAMPIONS Cup veteran Jack Yeandle has no doubt Exeter’s exciting young guns will rise to another big occasion in Toulouse today.