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 40)
Place of birthWindsor, Berkshire, England
Height6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight17 st 0 lb (108 kg)
SchoolClaires Court, Crosfields School, Shiplake College
Rugby union career
Position(s) Flanker
Youth career
- Maidenhead RFC
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
- Harlequins ()
2005–2006 Newbury Blues 26 (50)
2006–2008 Cornish Pirates 51 (80)
2008–2009 Exeter Chiefs 14 (15)
2009 Bath 4 (0)
2009 Pertemps Bees 2 (0)
2010 Worcester 10 (0)
National sevens team
Years Team Comps
- England 7's 12
Coaching career
Years Team
2014–2015 Fiji 7's
2015–2021 Fijiana
2022– 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

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

References

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  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 [bare URL]
  5. ^ Talebula Kate (26 August 2016). "Medals of honour". The Fiji Times. Archived from the original on 10 January 2017. Retrieved 29 August 2016.
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