Collins Brian

 

Player Brian Collins

Brian Joseph Collins

Position: Hooker

Born: Nuneaton, Warwickshire

Height: 6ft

Weight: 13st 12lb

Education: King Edward V1 Grammar School, Nuneaton – De Havilland Aeronautical Training School, Hatfield/Hatfield Technical College – Rolls Royce Training School, Derby/ Derby College of Technology

Achievements:

Honours: Warwickshire, Somerset, England Trials (reserve in attendance)

Debut game: 28th September 1965 v Weston-super-Mare

Final game: 27th September 1969 v Devonport Services

Number of Appearances: 86

Career details:

Brian joined from Nuneaton in the Centenary Season 1965/66 at a time when there was often fierce competition for the hooking position.  He established himself fully in the 1st XV in 1966/67 when he topped the appearances list playing in 46 matches. He also represented Somerset and attended England Trials at Leicester and Twickenham.

Further progress was halted following a knee injury in September 1967 when cartilage/ligament surgery ruled him out for the rest of the season.

Brian was back in 1968/69 and was appointed vice captain to Tom Martland for Season 1969/70, only for problems with his other knee and another operation early that season to end his hooking days.

Brian took an active part in coaching at Bath after his retirement and was also on Selection and Management Committees for some years.

He was a founder member pf the Bath Past Players Golf Society (along with Niall Carter, Brendan Perry and John Donovan) which he organised and captained for 7 years following Niall Carter and Phil Hall before handing over to John Monahan.

His last active rugby saw him playing in the centre for Midsomer Norton RFC!

Brian achieved an astonishing eight heels ‘against the head’ against the R.A.F.in the  1966/1967 season and Rosslyn Park in the 1968/1969 season!