Terry Cobner | |
Birth Name: | Terence John Cobner |
Ru Position: | Flanker |
Ru Amateurclubs: | Blaenavon RFC Pontypool RFC Walsall RFC Barbarian F.C. Gwent Staffordshire |
Ru Nationalteam: | Wales British & Irish Lions |
Ru Nationalyears: | 1974-1978 1977 |
Ru Nationalcaps: | 19 3 |
Ru Nationalpoints: | (8) (0) |
School: | West Monmouth School |
University: | Madeley College, Staffordshire |
Birth Date: | 10 January 1946 |
Office: | WRU Director (head) of Rugby |
Term Start: | 1996 |
Term End: | 2004 |
Predecessor: | Position established |
Successor: | Joe Lydon (rugby)[1] |
Office2: | President of the Welsh Rugby Union |
Term Start2: | 2023 |
Predecessor2: | Gerald Davies |
Successor2: | Incumbent |
Nationality: | Welsh |
Profession: | Schoolmaster |
Terence John Cobner (born 10 January 1946)[2] is a former Welsh international rugby union player and British Lion. After his rugby playing career, Cobner became director of rugby for Wales' WRU in 1996, and President of the WRU as of 2023. He was born in Blaenavon, Monmouthshire and lives in Pontypool.
A back row forward, or flanker, he scored a try on his debut against Scotland in 1974 at the age of 28, and went on to gain a total of 19 caps for Wales and score a total of two tries, the second coming against France in 1975. Cobner also captained Wales against Australia in his final appearances in 1978. He toured with the British Lions in 1977 to New Zealand where he played in three of the four tests, and virtually took over as captain of the tour from Phil Bennett in its latter stages.
He played his club rugby for Pontypool RFC from 1968 till 1981 and was captain of the side for 10 consecutive seasons from 1970 to 1979.
Cobner came out of an almost 20 year retirement and was appointed the position of Welsh Rugby Union President as of October 2023, he replaced Gerald Davies as the 51st president. He previously held the position of Wales' WRU first ever director of rugby between 1996-2004 before retiring early.[3]