Carl Ablett Name Carl Ablett Position Second Row Date of Birth 19/12/1985 Place of Birth Leeds Previous Club Middleton Weight  98kg Height  1.88m Honours England Academy Squad Number 18 Debut  v London Broncos 18/07/04 Leeds Career : After his best season to date in 2007, second rower Carl Ablett was rewarded with a place in the first 20 for the first time this season. After making his debut, aged 19, back in 2004 against London Carl has been in and out of the first team for the next two seasons, but last year with an extended run in the first he was really able to make an impact on the side. He made 13 substitute appearances and scored two tries. His first try came in the 72-10 win over Workington Town in the Challenge Cup and the second came in the 17-6 defeat against Hull, when Carl’s effort was the Rhinos’ sole try of the game. His progression at the club over the season was rewarded when Tony Smith named him in the squad for the match against St Helens in the Grand Final, when he was one of eight players from the Rhinos Academy system to collect a winner’s medal. Leeds born Carl joined the Academy in 2001 and was part of the 2003 Rhinos Academy Grand Final winning squad. He broke through to the senior side in 2004, making a substitute appearance in the 36 all draw with London Broncos. Ablett became the 100th player to represent Leeds in the Super League era and was the 40th to have come through the Rhinos system in those 100. He was an instrumental part of the Senior Academy success in 2005, scoring seven tries over his 15 appearances in the team. The following season Carl was named in the 2006 squad just outside the top 20 and he did not have long to wait to get first team action, making his Headingley Carnegie debut off the bench in the Rhinos 66-14 win over Castleford. An injury during the season limited Carl’s appearances, but in the six games he put in some solid performances and showed signs of what of he is capable of. As well as this Carl was once again a valuable player in the Senior Academy squad, featuring in 12 matches for the team and scoring 4 tries. Rugby Career : Prior to joining Leeds Carl played for Middleton. He has represented the England Academy at U17 and U18 level, winning the Australian Test match. He gained vital experience in the 2005 season when he went on loan to London Broncos at the end of the 2005 season for a month. Personal Details : Educated at Rodillian school, Carl has gained an NVQ in Sport and Recreation. His childhood heroes were Adrian Morley and Ellery Hanley. His favourite television programmes are The Office and The Royle Family, and his favourite film is Any Given Sunday. He credits his academy coaches Stuart Wilkinson and Mick Cook as being the greatest influence on his game. To return to the main squad profiles page click here.