One of the brightest young talents in English rugby, Crane made his England debut as a replacement against South Africa during the 2008 autumn internationals.

Crane joined Leicester from Leeds following the Yorkshire club's relegation from the Premiership at the end of the 2005-6 season. He made his elite level debut at only 18, playing for Leeds against Grenoble in the European Challenge Cup in the 2004-05 season. Recognition for his talents was almost immediate as he captained England U19 to a Grand Slam in 2005.

He then made his England U21 debut in February 2006. He scored a try against Wales at Worcester and was an ever present as England recorded a Grand Slam. His development at club level also continued as he made 17 appearances for Leeds in the 2005-06 Premiership season before jumping ship to Leicester.

Crane's impact at Leicester has seen him likened to Tigers great Dean Richards, and he made an impressive 18 appearances in his first season with the club as Leicester claimed top prize in the Premiership.

To add to his Guinness Premiership winner's medal, Crane was also voted as Tigers' Young Player of the Season by his colleagues at the season's close. Continuing to develop well at domestic level, Crane was included in his first England Saxons squad ahead of the 2008 Six Nations. He made his debut against Italy A, before playing in every one of England's victorious Churchill Cup campaign the following summer.

His inclusion in Martin Johnson's first elite player squad in 2008 and subsequent debut capped a remarkable ascent to the top of the game in England.

He returned to the Saxons ranks at the start of 2009 but would write his name into the record books in that season's Heineken Cup. Crane slotted the match-winning kick in the tournament's first-ever penalty shoot-out to see off Cardiff Blues and propel his side into the tournament finale against Leinster.

However, Crane's Leicester came undone against Leinster in the final. But there was more success the following season at domestic level as Leicester edged Saracens in an epic Aviva Premiership final.

Crane faced the challenge of Thomas Waldrom for a place in the No.8 spot for Leicester the following season but coach Richard Cockerill backed him in their losing Heineken Cup quarter-final against Leinster and their Premiership final later in the year. Leicester were undone by star performances from the likes of Schalk Brits and Owen Farrell leaving Leicester with the runners-up medal.

Crane captained England Saxons in their victorious 2011 Churchill Cup campaign and looked set to start the 2011-12 Premiership season in similar fashion. However, he was forced to undergo the surgeon's knife and will miss the entirety of the 2011-12 season with a knee injury.