Chris Cracknell

Chris Cracknell OF (born 6 August 1984 in Windsor, England) is a former England rugby union player. He coached the Fijiana team after being brought in by Ben Ryan in 2014.^[1] Cracknell attended Ridgeway (Junior School to Claires Court), Crosfields School and Shiplake College. The latter now hosts a 7s tournament in which schools compete for the 'Cracknell Cup' named in honour of the alumnus.^[2]

Chris Cracknell, OF

Date of birth	(1984-08-06) 6 August 1984 (age 39)
Place of birth	Windsor, Berkshire, England
Height	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight	17 st 0 lb (108 kg)
School	Claires Court, Crosfields School, Shiplake College
Rugby union career
Position(s) Flanker Youth career - Maidenhead RFC Senior career Years Team Apps (Points) - 2005–2006 2006–2008 2008–2009 2009 2009 2010 Harlequins Newbury Blues Cornish Pirates Exeter Chiefs Bath Pertemps Bees Worcester 26 51 14 4 2 10 (50) (80) (15) (0) (0) (0) National sevens team(s) Years Team Comps - England 7's 12 Coaching career Years Team 2014–2015 2015–2021 2022– Fiji 7's Fijiana Belgium

A flanker, Cracknell has previously played for the Cornish Pirates, Exeter Chiefs, Bath and Worcester Warriors.

In May 2010 Cracknell became subject of a WRFC and RFU investigation, when he became involved in an altercation with fellow Worcester player James Collins's father following the team's relegation decider match with Leeds. He was later fined and banned.^[3]

In 2015, Fiji Rugby Union confirmed that he has been chosen to be the assistant coach for the Fiji 7's team alongside Ben Ryan, who became the Fiji coach in 2013. In 2015, he was promoted as the head coach for the Fijiana team.

In 2022, Cracknell was named as the Belgium national team's coach, taking over from Frédéric Cocqu.^[4]

Honours and awards

After the 2016 Summer Olympics, Cracknell was awarded the Officer of the Order of Fiji.^[5]

References

1. "Ten England Sevens players on central contracts in new move by RFU". BBC. 15 July 2010. Retrieved 28 August 2010.
2. "Around twelve schools are invited to battle it out for the Cracknell Cup, named after the England 7s star Chris Cracknell, who attended Shiplake College himself back in the early 2000s" http://www.shiplake.org.uk/445/co-curricular/sport/rugby
3. "Worcester duo punished with bans by RFU after fracas". BBC. 11 May 2010. Retrieved 28 August 2010.
4. http://www.rugby.be/?oid=28061&pid=37929&aid=194721&lg=2
5. Talebula Kate (26 August 2016). . The Fiji Times. Archived from the original on 10 January 2017. Retrieved 29 August 2016.

External links

• Worcester Warriors Profile^{[permanent dead link]}