MOST Mancunians aspire to represent Manchester for either United or City – but this never enticed a young Raffi Quirke. The 22-year-old has always aspired to represent Sale on the grandest stage.
He said: “It’s a cliché, but dreams do come true. I’ve got my whole family still coming. It is pretty special seeing that.
“You have a special connection to the place because you are from here. A special passion for the badge.”
While Sale have failed to lift significant silverware since 2006, Quirke gets a feeling this squad is capable of achieving something special off the back of their 2023 Premiership final loss.
He said: “You want to win trophies, any silverware. We are still competing for the Challenge Cup and Premiership, but hopefully winning in Europe can create that winning feeling again.”
While Quirke is determined to bring success to the Sharks, he has ambitions to become a regular fixture on the in- tential is being reached.
ternational stage. Despite having Irish family, with his mother being from the Emerald Isle, and encountering Gaelic football at school, his heart has always been set on representing England.
He said: “I remember playing an underage game for England against Ireland, and my grandfather came down to support me as I lined out for England, but he was down wearing his Irish shirt proudly.
“I’m proud of my Irish side, but I’m proud any time I represent England.”
Quirke became the youngest scrum-half to mates at other teams so I
play for England when he made his debut against Australia in the 2021 autumn series aged 20, and won his second cap in the final game of that series against South Africa.
However, since then, he has been unfortunate with injuries. He said: “I’ve had some bad luck. I think you hav
