Marcus Rhodes (rugby union)

Marcus Rhodes (born 2001) is an English rugby union player who plays as number 8. He holds the BUCS Super Rugby record for both the most appearances and the most starts, with 75, having started every single game from his first appearance in his debut season. He is a former London Irish academy player, a Barbarian, and an England age-group international.

Early life and education

Rhodes was educated at Wellington College, Berkshire, where he was part of highly successful age-group rugby sides. As an under-15, he was a member of the Wellington College side that won the NatWest U15 Schools Cup in the 2016/17 season, beating Warwick School 25–12 in the final at Twickenham Stadium on 29 March 2017.

He was then a member of the Wellington College U18 1st XV that won the RFU Champions Trophy — the premier competition for schools at under-18 level — in consecutive years, becoming the first school in the competition's history to win it back-to-back. Wellington beat Epsom College 24–16 in the final at Allianz Park (now StoneX Stadium), Hendon, on 5 December 2018, and beat Rugby School 43–19 in the final at the same venue on 4 December 2019, becoming the first school in the competition's six-year history to win it twice.

London Irish (2019–2022)

Rhodes joined the London Irish academy system while at Wellington College. He started at number 8 in the Premiership Rugby U18 League Final on 16 February 2020 at Sixways Stadium, Worcester, in which London Irish faced Leicester Tigers. Rhodes scored London Irish's second try, forcing his way over from close range in the fifteenth minute to make it 12–7, in a match that ended 22–22 with the trophy shared between the two clubs.

Following his performance in the final, alongside scrum-half Rory Morgan, Rhodes was selected for the England U18 squad, though his international debut at that level did not materialise due to the cancellation of the programme caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In October 2020, Rhodes was promoted to the London Irish Senior Academy alongside Morgan and fly-half Theo Smerdon. Academy Manager Patrick O'Grady said: "Both Rory and Marcus know the environment well and we are excited to see how they develop in the Senior Academy."

Rhodes was included in the London Irish senior squad for the 2021–22 Gallagher Premiership season, appearing in the official squad photocall at the Hazelwood Centre, Sunbury, in September 2021. He departed the club in May 2022 alongside Morgan to focus on his university studies.

Southern Knights (2024)

During the summer of 2024, Rhodes was recruited to play for Southern Knights in the FOSROC Super Series Sprint — the final edition of Scotland's part-time professional league before its disbandment. He was named in the back row alongside Monroe Job, Allan Ferrie, Garry Young, Dylan Cockburn, Will Ferrie and Robert Singer, and was described by the Southern Reporter as part of the Knights' "foreign legion" of players recruited from outside Scotland, alongside Durham University teammate Callum Grieve.

The 2024 FOSROC Super Series Sprint ran from April to June 2024, with the Southern Knights playing their home fixtures at The Greenyards, Melrose. The competition was the last of its kind, with Scottish Rugby announcing the disbandment of the Super Series format as part of a restructuring of the male performance pathway.Border Telegraph. "Southern Knights' Super Series Sprint fixtures revealed"

England U20 Elite Player Squad — 2021

On 1 January 2021, Rhodes was named in the England U20 Elite Player Squad (EPS) for 2021 by head coach Alan Dickens, one of four London Irish players selected alongside Will Joseph, Luke Green and Lucas Brooke, receiving his first call-up at U20 level.

England Students — 2026

Rhodes was selected to represent England Students against France Universities in the annual Le Crunch Universitaire on 2 May 2026 at Kingston Park, the home of Newcastle Red Bulls. The squad assembled for a week-long training camp at RAF Leeming, led by head coach Martin Webdale, before travelling to Newcastle. Rhodes came on at the start of the second half as England rallied from 28–12 down at half-time to win 55–42, their first victory in the fixture since 2023, secured through three decisive rolling mauls in the second period. The match was broadcast live on YouTube.

Durham University RFC (2022–2026)

Rhodes joined Durham University RFC upon beginning his History degree at Durham University. He made his BUCS Super Rugby debut in his first season, starting at number 8, and went on to start every single BUCS Super Rugby game throughout his university career without exception. He subsequently undertook a fourth-year integrated Masters degree, extending his time at Durham to four seasons of BUCS Super Rugby, and captained the DURFC first XV in both his third and fourth years, supported by vice captain Jonny Smith.

Ahead of a home fixture during the 2025–26 season, Rhodes was presented with a framed shirt by the DURFC Alumni Association in recognition of his 75th BUCS Super Rugby appearance — a competition record for both total appearances and total starts, having started every single game at number 8 throughout his university career.

Rhodes graduated from Durham University with a high 2:1 in History before completing his Masters degree.

2025–26 season

In the 2025–26 BUCS Super Rugby season, Rhodes captained Durham through an 18-game league campaign, recording nine wins and nine losses. A notable highlight was a 42–38 away victory at Bath. In December 2025, Rhodes led Durham in the inaugural Ted Wood Challenge Cup fixture against Cardiff University, played at Rosslyn Park, London, on 12 December 2025 as part of DURFC's 150th anniversary celebrations and the launch of the club's 1875 Society alumni network. Durham won 24–21.

Durham qualified for the BUCS Super Rugby Milk Championship, defeating Nottingham 35–21 in the quarter-final before losing 33–20 to eventual champions Bath in the semi-final, with Rhodes scoring a consolation try late in the game.

Durham vs The Barbarians — 3 May 2025

As part of Durham University RFC's 150th anniversary celebrations, Rhodes captained the DURFC first XV against the Barbarians on 3 May 2025 at Durham City RFC. Durham became only the fifth university side, and fourth from the UK, to have faced the famous touring club. The Barbarians won 54–33.

Barbarians

One week after captaining Durham against the Barbarians, Rhodes was selected to play for the Barbarians themselves against Glasgow Academicals RFC at New Anniesland, Glasgow, on 10 May 2025, to mark the 100th anniversary of Scotland's 1925 Grand Slam success. He was listed in the squad as Marcus Rhodes (Durham University / England U20). The Barbarians won 78–31.

Coventry RFC (2026–present)

Following the completion of his Masters degree at Durham University, Rhodes signed for Coventry RFC ahead of the 2026–27 season, joining the RFU Championship club.

Advocacy

Rhodes has used his platform to call for greater RFU investment in northern rugby, arguing that talent is being lost due to inadequate funding and that northern rugby culture is misunderstood. Writing in December 2025, he stated: "By not financing growth of the game or giving the north the attention it needs, the RFU will miss out on a lot of talent, a lot of rugby."

Personal life

Rhodes has spoken publicly about the profound influence of his father, who broke his neck playing rugby at around 17 or 18 years of age. He has described this as a major motivational force throughout his career.