Fylde is delighted to welcome Lancashire U’20s scrum-half Gabe Maguire to the 1st XV squad. He joins the Club on the occasion of the Lancashire squad’s fine performance in the Jason Leonard U’20s Championship and their 36-22 Final win against Devon U’20s on Saturday at Twickenham. Gabe and fellow Fylde newcomer Will Greenwood, who skippered the team, joined the Club’s own Dan Slawson and Max Senior in the triumphant Lancashire starting line-up at Twickers.
Gabe started his rugby career playing at mini-junior level, first at Bury RUFC and then Sedgley Park. He moved to Rossendale Colts and progressed there through to the Stags’ 1st XV. He made two appearances at senior level in 2023-24 and secured a regular role and 17 appearances at scrum-half in the club’s successful promotion campaign in 2024-25.
When he left Woodhey High School in Ramsbottom he joined the Myerscough College Rugby programme and then moved to study at Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU). He played regularly for the 1st XVs at both institutions.
Gabe has been part of the Lancashire RFU set-up initially at U’16s, then U’18s before becoming a regular in the U’20s squad. This season he was part of the Lancashire Senior squad competing in the Bill Beaumont County Championship.
One Fylde Member said: “After watching all the U’20 games this season, the signing of the Lancs scrum half Gabe Maguire is brilliant news. Feisty, quick and with a good rugby brain, he’s young but will make the grade.”
He also has representative honours for Sale Sharks Academy, North U’18s and more recently North U’20s.
When asked about the most influential person in his rugby career he said: ”I’d have to say my Dad has been. We always do extras and he always pushes me to be a better player but still makes me know that the main thing is to always enjoy it and when I do that’s when I play my best rugby. My Dad has definitely had the most impact for me with everything.”
Whilst Gabe is still a student at MMU he has also started his own business called ‘Go Rugby’ where they undertake a lot of different types of coaching such as ‘one to one’ work. The business is partnered with ‘Try it’ and he hoping to help the company to take off next season with a lot more ideas in mind.
Gabe Maguire said: “I can’t wait to get started at Fylde after being at Myerscough and seeing ‘Briersy’ coach there and being in the Lancashire Senior squad with Alex Loney as the coach. I’ve really enjoyed the way that they coach, not just the team but me as well. The way they want to play rugby as well suits me so much and the welcome and support from some of the team that I’ve already had has been amazing. I’m very excited to help push Fylde to get promoted to National One and I hope I can be a massive part of that journey.”
Gabe Maguire sharing the honours with soon to be Fylde team mate, Will Greenwood.
