Nathan Jibulu
 Jibulu in 2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Date of birth | 28 January 2003[1] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Place of birth | Croydon, England | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 184 cm (6 ft 0 in)[2] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 110 kg (243 lb; 17 st 5 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | Wimbledon College Seaford College | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Nathan Jibulu (born 28 January 2003) is an English professional rugby union player who plays hooker for Premiership Rugby side Sale Sharks.
Early life
Jibulu attended Wimbledon College. He captained Wimbledon College in their National Schools Sevens 2016 tournament Under-13s Juniors Championship win;[3] and a year later, was a major force in their Under-14s Championship win.[4]
He attended Seaford College for the latter part of his schooling; also playing club rugby for Wimbledon Warriors.
Jibulu joined the senior academy at Harlequins prior to the 2021-22 season.[5][6][7]
Club career
Jibulu made a try-scoring debut Harlequins in the Premiership Rugby Cup against Saracens in September 2022.[8][9] That season, he also spent time on loan at Esher RFC.[10]
Jibulu scored a try in the Premiership for Harlequins against Northampton Saints in November 2023.[11] He also featured for the club in the European Rugby Champions Cup against Toulouse the following month.[12] He signed a new contract with the club in February 2023, and also played on loan at London Scottish during the 2023-24 season as well as featuring for Harlequins.[13][14]
He made his first start in the Rugby Premiership for Harlequins on 28 September 2024, scoring Harlequins' first try in a 28-14 win against Newcastle Falcons.[15][16]
In February 2025 it was confirmed that Jibulu had signed for Sale Sharks.[17]
International career
Jibulu made his debut for the England U20 side during the last round of the 2023 Six Nations Under 20s Championship.[18] Later that year he was a member of the England squad that finished fourth at the 2023 World Rugby U20 Championship in South Africa and scored a try during a pool stage draw with Australia.[19][20]
In November 2024, Jibulu was called-up to train with the England A team.[21]
References
- ^ "Nathan Jibulu". TNT Sports. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
- ^ "Nathan Jibulu". All.Rugby. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
- ^ "National Schools Sevens U-13s final 2016". YouTube. 20 November 2020. Retrieved 1 October 2024.
- ^ "Under 14s National Schools Sevens Final 2017". YouTube. 17 March 2021. Retrieved 1 October 2024.
- ^ "HARLEQUINS WELCOME NINE PLAYERS INTO SENIOR ACADEMY". Premiership Rugby. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
- ^ Savage, Angus (9 September 2020). "England U18 Development Camp Squad Named". nextgenxv.com. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
- ^ "Congratulations to Nathan Jibulu on your Harlequins Contract". seaford.org. 28 June 2021. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
- ^ "MATCH REPORT: HARLEQUINS 40-31 SARACENS". Premiershiprugby. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
- ^ Sansom, Tom (September 28, 2022). "Premiership Rugby Cup: Harlequins 40-31 Saracens – Six Player Picks from London Derby". Prostinternatioanl. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
- ^ "LOAN WATCH: JIBULU AND LITTERICK FEATURE FOR ESHER". quins.co.uk. 18 Oct 2022. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
- ^ "Premiership: Northampton Saints 36-33 Harlequins - Ollie Sleightholme scores twice as hosts win thriller". BBC Sport. 24 November 2023. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
- ^ "Classy Toulouse score seven tries as they dismantle Harlequins away from home". Planet Rugby. 17 December 2023. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
- ^ Gallagher, Brendan (29 September 2024). "15 who have a chance to shine". The Rugby Paper. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
- ^ "HARLEQUINS ACADEMY FRONT ROW PAIR SIGN CONTRACT EXTENSIONS". Quins.co.uk. 8 February 2023. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
- ^ "GREAT VICTORY! Harlequins vs. Newcastle Falcons". YouTube. 28 September 2024. Retrieved 1 October 2024.
- ^ Richardson, Charlie (28 September 2024). "Harlequins' next generation of Cassius Cleaves and 'beast' Nathan Jibulu shine in Newcastle win". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
- ^ "Sale to sign Harlequins hooker Jibulu". BBC Sport. 18 February 2025. Retrieved 1 August 2025.
- ^ "Under-20 Six Nations 2023: Ireland claim Grand Slam with England win". BBC Sport. 19 March 2023. Retrieved 1 August 2025.
- ^ "England Names Squad For U20 Championship". florugby. 6 June 2023. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
- ^ "England front row dominate U20 Championship as Quins hooker goes on rampage". Rugby Onslaught. 4 July 2023. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
- ^ Morgan, Charlie (6 November 2024). "Gabriel Ibitoye called up to England A squad for Australia fixture". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 7 November 2024.