Rugby is a bit of a thing in the Holland household.
Blackheath folk will have fond memories of Harry putting his body where few dare in the Club back-row between 2021 and 2023, while youngest sibling Matthew is with Saracens Academy, and Martha is doing great things at Hartpury College.
Even father, Paul, has claim to an England U20s appearance at Twickenham (although according to my source, details remain sketchy).
In the middle of it all comes Archie, Blackheath’s incumbent loose-head prop, who at Leeds tomorrow will join an elite band of players to have made 100 appearances in Club colours.
What stands out, and is truly remarkable, about Archie’s achievement is that it’s come in double-quick time. In four seasons at Well Hall, Archie has missed a mere three games. Indeed, he’s been ever-present in three of those seasons, including the current campaign, and went 57 matches straight from his debut in the 29-10 home win against Dorking in September 2022.
‘That’s one of my two best rugby memories,’ said Archie who rises to 178cm, and weighs in at 113Kg. ‘Making my Club debut alongside my brother (Harry) was very special.’
‘The other was winning the County Championship with Kent at Twickenham in 2024 (against Yorkshire 31-30), together with second-row Charlie Self who I grew up with.’
‘My disallowed try in that game still grates though,’ he joked.
Kent has been a theme running throughout Archie’s rugby life.
His junior rugby was at Westcombe Park, where he was initially in the back-row, and he captained Ravens Wood school in the National Bowl Final (‘losing that still hurts too’).
At Nottingham Trent University, whilst completing a Sport & Exercise Science degree, Archie switched to the front-row, and soon after made his league debut for Bromley RFC, where he remains scrum and defence coach, alongside his day job as a PE teacher at Sir Joseph Williamson’s Mathematical School in Rochester.
All that doesn’t leave space for much else, though he does enjoy eating out, is a bit of an x-box nerd, and likes theatre (‘I do love a good musical’). He’ll also find time next year to marry fiancé Maizie, a tattoo artist.
A specialist loose-head, Archie has also added versatility to his game by adapting to playing on the opposite side of the scrum when the need arises, an asset not lost on Tom Stradwick.
‘Year on year, Archie has got better and better, and this season his scrummaging has been the best it’s ever been’ said the Blackheath head coach. ‘He’s now one of the most dominant loose-heads in National League One.’
‘His carrying ability, particularly close to the goal-line is very powerful,’ he continued. ‘He gets very low which is hard to stop, which probably accounts for most of his 18 tries.’
‘A good mauler, he also gets good leg drive and puts in massive shots which dominates the opposition and gets us on the front foot defensively.’
‘His consistency is huge credit to him, and I’m delighted we have another player getting to 100 caps.’
To see some memories of Archie’s career so far, go over to our YouTube channel.
Graham Cox
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