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Kevin Burke joins Harlequins
By Prof July 25 2005
Kevin Burke is the sixth new player to be announced by NEC Harlequins for the 2005-6 season and the first of two new second row signings expected. With the departure of Roy Winters to Bristol and Karl Rudzki to Pau Harlequins needed to get some more cover at lock.

Name: Kevin Burke
Nickname: Kidzilla
Date of Birth: 16 December 1979
Place of Birth: Bridgend, Wales
Height: 6'6" (1.98m)
Weight: 18st 10lbs (119kg)
Position: Second row
Previous Clubs: London Welsh, London Irish, Brunel University, Bridgend
Honours: Wales Schools U18, Welsh Students, Welsh Presidents XV
Contract: 1 years (until June 2006)

Before Burke's signing was announced Quins only had two locks on the books: Simon Miall and Jim Evans with two more in the Academy: James Ingliss and George Robson.

He was born in Bridgend and started his rugby career there before moving to London Irish for the start of the 1999/2000 season. He has played against Harlequins alongside (or should that be behind) England prop Mike Worsley. At the end of 2003 he was sent on loan to London Welsh who he signed for for the 2004/5 season. He scored four tries last season for Quins' new local rivals.

At 6'6" and almost 19 stone Kevin Burke is certainly the big unit that Quins have been looking for since the doomed signing of Geo Cronjé, and at only 25 he could have many years at The Stoop ahead of him.

As well as being a big unit Kevin Burke is also a very skillful player, he has already been described as having 'Diprose-esque hands'.

Here's hoping he has a long and successful time with us and perhaps we'll even hear the singing of 'We Love You Burkey" again when he gets on the score sheet.

Welcome to Quins Kevin.

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