Matthew Cook (rugby union)

For the English rugby union and rugby league footballer, see Matt Cook (rugby league).

Matt Cook
Birth nameMatthew James Cook
Date of birth (1978-05-17) 17 May 1978 (age 46)
Place of birthSaint Helier, Jersey
Height6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight244 lb (111 kg)
SchoolDe La Salle College
UniversityNorthampton University
Rugby union career
Position(s) Head Coach
2nd Row, Flanker, Number 8
Current team Tunbridge Wells RFC
Youth career
  Jersey RFC
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
1994-1997
1997-1998
1998–2002
2002-2003
2003–2004
2004-2006
2006–2013
2013–2014
2014-2015
2015-		 Jersey RFC
Saracens RFC
Bedford
Carlow
Blaydon RFC
Denia
La Vila
Tunbridge Wells RFC
East Grinstead RFC
Tunbridge Wells RFC

1

(10)
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2010–2014 Spain 27 (15)

Matthew "Matt" James Cook (born 17 May 1978)[1] is a Jersey-born Spanish international rugby union player. He plays as a Flanker[2] or a Number 8. Cook currently plays for Tunbridge Wells RFC[3] and the Spain national rugby union team.

Personal life

Born in Saint Helier, Cook was educated at De La Salle College.[4]

Career

Cook started to play rugby at the age of 6 for Jersey. In 1998 he moved from Jersey to England and signed for Bedford Blues where he made his debut in the English Premiership on his 21st birthday against Richmond RFC.[5] In that match he scored two tries.[1] This was his only senior game for Bedford Blues.[6] He was later released by Bedford Blues and attempted to find another Premiership club. In 2003, he was signed by Blaydon RFC.[7] When he was unable to join another Premiership club, he retired from rugby.[5]

In 2005, Cook moved to Villajoyosa, Spain and came out of retirement to sign for CR La Vila.[5] In 2009, he was selected to play for Olympus Rugby XV Madrid in the European Challenge Cup.[8] In 2013, Cook played for English amateur side, Tunbridge Wells RFC.[9]

International career

In 2009, Cook was invited by the Spanish national team to join them in training camps.[4] In 2010, Cook qualified to play for Spain under residency rules as he had lived in Spain for 5 years. He made his debut in a 2011 Rugby World Cup qualifier against Russia national rugby union team at Estadio Nacional Complutense in Madrid.[10] This made him the second Jersey born player to win an international cap after Matt Banahan was called up to the England national rugby union team.[11]

References

  1. ^ a b "Matt Cook". ESPN. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
  2. ^ "Swopped sides". The Olive Press. 18 November 2010. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
  3. ^ Hare, Kevin (7 November 2013). "Chile vs Spain – 9th Nov 2013". Rugbyredefined.com. Archived from the original on 25 February 2017. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
  4. ^ a b "Cook poised for cap – from Spain". This Is Jersey.com. 4 March 2009. Archived from the original on 2 January 2014. Retrieved 2 January 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  5. ^ a b c "A CHAT WITH MATT COOK". The Leader. Archived from the original on 2 January 2014. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
  6. ^ "Matthew Cook". Premiership Rugby. 16 May 1999. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
  7. ^ "Regional rugby review. – Free Online Library". The Free Library. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
  8. ^ "LA VILA PLAYERS MAKE OLYMPUS TEAM". The Leader. Archived from the original on 2 January 2014. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
  9. ^ "Pair's international honours". This is Kent. 15 November 2013. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
  10. ^ "Cook earns Spanish cap". This is Jersey. 17 February 2010. Archived from the original on 2 January 2014. Retrieved 2 January 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  11. ^ "International cap for Matt Cook". Channel Online. 17 February 2010. Retrieved 2 January 2014.