Barrie James Corless (born 7 November 1945) is an English former
rugby union international.
Born in
Booton, Norfolk
Booton is a village and civil parish in the Broadland district of Norfolk, England, just east of Reepham and seven miles west of Aylsham. According to the 2001 census, it had a population of 100, including Brandiston and increasing to 196 at the ...
, Corless is an old boy of
Wymondham College
Wymondham College is a coeducational day and boarding school in Morley, near Wymondham, Norfolk, England with academy status. A former grammar school, it is one of 36 state boarding schools in England and the largest of its type in the country, ...
.
Corless played his rugby in the West Midlands, starting his career with Birmingham RFC. He next played for
Coventry and in 1976 was called up for
England to play at centre against the touring Wallabies at Twickenham. England won the match and he had a second half try, chasing his own kick to score. In the weeks after the match he signed a contract with
Moseley, as Coventry were unable to give him regular games as a centre, which is where he needed to be playing to push for further selection. He featured in all of England's matches in the 1977 and 1978
Five Nations.
Following a period of coaching for
RFU Midlands, Corless came to
Northampton
Northampton () is a market town and civil parish in the East Midlands of England, on the River Nene, north-west of London and south-east of Birmingham. The county town of Northamptonshire, Northampton is one of the largest towns in England; ...
as an administrator in 1988, a position which ultimately become coaching director. He helped the club rise from the bottom of League Two to earn League One promotion and make a
Pilkington Cup final, before he left in 1993.
A less successful stint followed as coaching director at
Gloucester and he then returned to Moseley, to fill the same position.
See also
*
List of England national rugby union players
References
External links
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Corless, Barrie
1945 births
Living people
English rugby union players
England international rugby union players
English rugby union coaches
Rugby union players from Norfolk
People from Broadland (district)
People educated at Wymondham College
Coventry R.F.C. players
Moseley Rugby Football Club players
Rugby union centres