David Pears (rugby player)

David Pears (born 6 December 1967) is a former English rugby union player, who played for Harlequins and England. He played as a fly-half. He won 4 England caps, the first two on the 1990 England rugby union tour of Argentina, came on as a replacement during the 1992 Six Nations match against France and started at full back against France two years later.

He grew up in the village of Seaton, on the outskirts of Workington, playing junior Rugby League for the village youth teams coached by his father Reggie. He first went to Moorclose Secondary School before attending Workington Grammar School. Whilst playing school rugby David’s unique skills drew the attention of two physical education teachers, Tom Borthwick and Malcolm Brown, both county stalwarts and stars of Aspatria Rugby Union Football Club. At the age of fifteen he naturally came to Aspatria, after captaining an array of county school sides at both codes of Rugby and Soccer.

He made his senior debut in the 1985-1986 season when he helped Aspatria win the Cumberland Rugby Union Challenge Cup on two occasions. The 1987 final against Moresby was a personal triumph for Pears who scored fifteen of his sides nineteen points, including a winning try in the final five minutes. He starred again in the following season when Aspatria gained a narrow victory over Cockermouth, with Pears kicking three conversions. However it was the home tie against Wasps in the third round of the John Players Cup that brought him national attention. Although the Wasps fielded a side littered with internationals with Rob Andrews and Nigel Melville the opposition half-backs it was David Pears and his colleague George Doggart who earned the praise. After leading the County Colts to several memorable victories he was selected to play for the North of England Colts. In 1987 he was called into the squad for the England B international against Italy but suffered an injury and missed the game. Although the 1987-88 season was his last with the Aspatria club he made a memorable exit. He was without doubt the star of the Cumberland Cup winning side that shattered thee dreams of Moresby. He made an outstanding contribution to the rejuvenation of the county side; he played magnificently against Wasps and other Pilkington Cup opposition and was instrumental in assisting Aspatria secure a position in the Courage North Division 2 League.

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