Brent Cockbain

Infobox Rugby biography
name = Brent Cockbain


birthname = Brent Cockbain
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1974|11|15|df=yes
placeofbirth = Coffs Harbour, New South Wales, Australia
height = height|ft=6|in=8
weight = 19 st 3 lb (122 kg)
nickname =
school = Innisfail High School
relatives = Matt Cockbain
ru_position = Lock
currentclub = Sale Sharks
clubnumber = 5
youthyears =
youthclubs =
ru_clubyears =
____ ‐ 99
1999 ‐ 03
2003 ‐ 04
2004 ‐ 07
2007 ‐
ru_proclubs = Queensland Reds
London Irish
Pontypridd RFC
Celtic Warriors
Ospreys
Sale Sharks
ru_clubcaps =


7 (5)
53 (5)

ru_clubpoints =


(5)
(5)

ru_nationalyears = 2003 ‐
2005
ru_nationalteam = Wales
British and Irish Lions
ru_nationalcaps = 24
ru_nationalpoints = (5)
pcupdate =
repupdate =

Brent Cockbain (born 15 November 1974 in New South Wales, Australia) is a Welsh rugby union player who plays Lock for Sale Sharks in the English Guinness Premiership, and has won 20 caps for Wales.

Club career

Although born in Australia, and with his brother Matt Cockbain having played international rugby for Australia, Brent decided to emigrate to the UK. Cockbain (height 6 feet 8 inches / 2.03 m, weight 18 stone 5 lb / 117 kg) played club rugby for London Irish, then came to Wales in 1999 to join Pontypridd RFC. With the advent of the regional sides in 2003, he played for the Celtic Warriors, then when the Warriors were broken up signed for the Ospreys in 2004.

In the 2004-05 season he helped the Ospreys win the Celtic League and Wales win the Grand Slam, scoring his first international try against Italy. Although he doesn't score many tries, he is widely regarded by commentators and fans alike as one of the best ball carriers of the Wales outfit.

Cockbain returned from injury to club rugby with the Ospreys, but missed Wales' 2006 Autumn Internationals due to a suspension. On 3rd December 2007, Brent signed for the English Premiership side Sale Sharks on a 2 1/2 year contract. [ [http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/rugbynation/rugby-news/2007/12/04/brent-cockbain-eager-to-make-fresh-start-91466-20200575/ Brent Cockbain eager to make fresh start] South Wales Echo - 4 December, 2007] [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/my_club/sale/7124019.stm BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | My Club | Sale | Lock Cockbain joins Sale Sharks ] ]

International career

Cockbain represented Australia at Under 19 and Under 21 level, but qualified for Wales under the residency rule and made his debut against Romania at Wrexham on 27 August 2003, a match which Wales won 54-8. This match also saw Mike Ruddock take charge of the side for the first time, albeit only for the one game. He went on to start in four of Wales' matches in the 2003 Rugby World Cup. In the 2004-05 season he helped Wales win the Grand Slam, scoring his first international try against Italy. He was flown out to join the 2005 British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand as a late replacement after Danny Grewcock had been banned for biting.

Personal life

Brent and Kate were hit by personal tragedy when there 13 month old son, Toby, died of a brain tumour. The couple set up the [http://www.tlcfoundation.org.uk/ Toby Lloyd Cockbain Foundation] to raise money for charity. The couple have had two children since, Pippa Carys and James William Rhys. The couple have since separated although their charity continues with great success.

References

External links

* [http://www.salesharks.com/player_info?id=133 Sale profile]
* [http://www.ospreysrugby.com/stats_player_records.php Ospreys profile]
* [http://www.wru.co.uk/63_1739.php Wales profile]
* [http://www.skysports.com/rugbyunion/player/0,20330,12573_171290,00.html Sky Sports profile]
* [http://www.wru.co.uk/12828_358.php WRU profile]
* [http://www.tlcfoundation.org.uk Toby Lloyd Cockbain Foundation]