Sam Crean

Sam Crean (born 12 June 2000) is an English professional rugby union player, who plays as a prop for United Rugby Championship side Ulster.

Early life Crean was born in Medway, Kent and grew up in Rochester. He played his junior rugby at Medway RFC, starting from the age of five and playing through to the U16s side, and also represented the Kent county rugby team at U15s and 16s level. He then secured a scholarship to attend Harrow School, after being spotted at a rugby festival by Saracens academy coach Rory Teague. His peers at the school included fellow future Saracens academy graduates Andy Onyeama-Christie, Elliott Obatoyinbo, Sean Reffell and Manu Vunipola.

Rugby career Crean joined the Saracens junior academy in 2015 and then graduated up to the senior academy in 2018, when he spent time out on loan at Bishop's Stortford for the 2018–19 National League 1 season. He initially played as a hooker, before transitioning into the role of loosehead prop. Subsequently, he was promoted into the Saracens first-team squad on a full-time basis, ahead of the beginning of the 2022–23 season.

Crean has represented England at age-group level. He played two games for the England U20s during the abridged 2020 Six Nations, making his debut in a defeat to Ireland and then scoring a try against Wales.

Crean joined Ulster on a short-term loan deal in February 2025, and signed for them on a permanent basis from the 2025–26 season. He also qualifies to represent Ireland through ancestry and in February 2026 made his first appearance for Ireland A.