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

Cracknell at the 2012 Hong Kong Sevens
Date of birth	(1984-08-06) 6 August 1984 (age 41)
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) - 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

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