Linsell grew up in the Cotswolds and played for his local club, Painswick RFC, his schoolboy career at Marling School based in Stroud led him to the Gloucester Academy and eventually to Hartpury College. He played a limited number of games for Hartpury during the 2013–14 season, helping them win promotion to National League 1[1]
Linsell graduated in Arabic and Middle Eastern Studies from the University of Exeter and while at Exeter, he also skippered their successful BUCS Super Rugby side, fierce rivals of Hartpury's own university team.[2]
He since returned to Hartpury, where in August 2018, was named club captain ahead of the 2018–19 season in the RFU Championship.[3]