Mike Rafter (born 31 March 1952) is a rugby union coach and former Bristol and England

flanker Flanker may refer to: * Flanker (perfume), a newly created perfume sharing attributes of an existing one * Flanker (rugby union), a position in rugby union (not found in rugby league) * ''Su-27 Flanker'' (video game), a 1996 computer game modelin ...

Bristol career

After having initially been an association football player (going on trial at

Bristol City Football Club Bristol City Football Club is a professional football club based in Bristol, England, which compete in the , the second tier of English football. They have played their home games at Ashton Gate since moving from St John's Lane in 1904. The ...

as a 14-year-old), Rafter became a rugby union convert as a pupil at St Brendan's College and signed up for Bristol, making his debut in 1973 against Exeter. He went on to become captain of the Bristol team, and led them to their historic cup victory over

Leicester Leicester ( ) is a city status in the United Kingdom, city, Unitary authorities of England, unitary authority and the county town of Leicestershire in the East Midlands of England. It is the largest settlement in the East Midlands. The city l ...

in the 1982–83 season.

England career

Rafter made his England debut in 1977 in the 26-6 victory over Scotland at Twickenham. He was a member of the Grand Slam-winning side of 1980, and competed in his last England international in 1981, against Argentina in Buenos Aires, to finish his international career with 17 caps.

References

1952 births Living people England international rugby union players English rugby union players Gloucestershire County RFU players Rugby union flankers category:Rugby union players from Bristol Bristol Bears players {{england-rugbyunion-bio-stub