Position
Center
Club
Oscar Beard
England U20 Men’s graduate Oscar Beard was born in the same hospital as Jonny Wilkinson and, like the former England fly-half, also started his playing career at Alton Rugby Club. Beard went on to play for Farnham RUFC before joining Harlequins’ academy at the age of twelve and made his senior debut for the club against Sale Sharks in April 2021. He has previously represented England at U20 level in 2021 before receiving a call up to the Steve Borthwick’s Senior Men’s squad ahead of the 2024 Guinness Men’s Six Nations Championship. He was also named in the squad for the 2025 edition of the tournament.
The inside centre, who wears 12, and outside centre, wearing 13, have similar roles but often specialise. The 12 becomes first receiver if the fly half is unavailable and is generally larger, able to tackle big opponents, take the lead and distribute the ball for tactical advantage. The outside centre is robust and able to step around defenders at pace, adaptable and with the speed of a wing.
