Martin Corry (rugby union)

Martin Edward Corry MBE (born 12 October 1973) is an English former rugby union footballer who played at number eight, blindside flanker or lock for Bristol and Leicester Tigers and represented England and the British and Irish Lions.

Martin Corry
MBE
Birth nameMartin Edward Corry
Date of birth (1973-10-12) 12 October 1973
Place of birthBirmingham, England
Height6 ft 5 in (1.95 m)
Weight17 st 9 lb (112 kg)
SchoolTunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys
UniversityNorthumbria University[1]
SpouseTara
Occupation(s)Retired Rugby Union player
Rugby union career
Position(s) Number eight, Flanker, Lock
Amateur team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)

1993-95		 Tunbridge Wells
Newcastle		 ()
Correct as of 11 July 2014
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
1995–1997
1997–2009		 Bristol
Leicester Tigers		 32
279		 (40)
(115)
Correct as of 11 July 2014
National team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
1997–2007
2001–2005
1998–2009		 England
British and Irish Lions
Barbarians		 64
7
5		 (30)
(0)
(5)
Correct as of 11 July 2014

Club career

Born in Birmingham, Corry was educated at Tunbridge Wells Grammar School and the University of Northumbria, and first played rugby union for Tunbridge Wells minis and the first team before joining Newcastle Gosforth and later Bristol. He broke his contract at Bristol to move to Leicester Tigers in 1997.

Corry was one of Leicester's core forwards for several seasons, an integral part of Leicester Tigers' success over this period, and was the club's captain during his tenure there. Corry started both the 2001[2] and 2002[3] Heineken Cup finals. He also helped Leicester win four Premiership trophies in a row in 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002.[4] Corry won his fifth Premiership medal in 2007, starting the final and scoring a try as Leicester defeated Gloucester.[5]

Corry captained Leicester from the retirement of Johnson and Back in 2005 until his eventual retirement in 2009.

International rugby

During his career he has worked his way up the full representative ladder, representing England at Schools, Students, U21 and A level. He made his England debut against Argentina on the 1997 tour there with the main players playing on the 1997 British Lions tour.

Because of his ability to play either at lock, blindside or number 8, he was often used as an impact substitute.

In 2001 he was called up to the British and Irish Lions side after the tour had started, due to injuries within the squad, and immediately impressed Graham Henry, the Lions coach. He started the first test in the absence of the injured Neil Back, and replaced the injured Richard Hill in the second before starting the third test in the absence of Hill.

His subsequent international form has been varied: after playing in the delayed Six Nations decider in Dublin in October 2001, Corry missed out on the Autumn internationals but was a bench replacement for the 2002 Six Nations.

He confirmed his selection for Clive Woodward’s Rugby World Cup squad in a highly competitive back row area with a strong late run in England's warm-up matches: he performed well in the 43–9 defeat of Wales at the Millennium Stadium in late Summer of 2003 and then again in the September defeat of France at Twickenham. He was part of England's 2003 World Cup-winning squad, chosen ahead of teammate Graham Rowntree. During the 2003 Rugby World Cup, Corry flew home from Australia for the birth of his first child, daughter Eve. He rejoined the squad days later, and played in England's victory over Uruguay.

In 2005, he was named as England Captain for the Six Nations match against Italy and Scotland, in the absence of Jason Robinson.

In the summer he was selected for his second Lions tour, this time to New Zealand, and was made vice-captain for the first test. He went on to captain the team from the 2nd minute onwards as Brian O'Driscoll was injured in a notorious spear tackle incident. However, he was dropped for the final two tests in favour of Ryan Jones.

He was again selected as England's captain for the 2005 autumn internationals and 2006 Six Nations tournament. He continued as captain for the Autumn Internationals of 2006, in which England lost to New Zealand, Argentina and South Africa. Following these results, England Head coach Andy Robinson left his post and was replaced by Brian Ashton. In his first squad selection as England coach, Ashton named Corry in the starting line-up for the 2007 Six Nations opener against Scotland, though he was replaced as captain by Phil Vickery. Corry remained in the side as the tournament progressed, but in the final two games of the tournament (against France and Wales) he was moved to lock.

In 2007, Corry formed part of the Ashton's Rugby World Cup squad in which England progressed to the Final in Paris but were ultimately unable to defend their world title, losing to South Africa. The following year, Corry reportedly turned down Ashton's offer of a place in the England's squad for the opening fixture of their 2008 Six Nations campaign, instead announcing his retirement from international rugby at the age of 34.[6][7]

In May 2009, Corry announced that he was retiring at the end of the 2008/09 season.[8][9] He captained the Barbarians against England at Twickenham on 30 May 2009, to a 33–26 victory.[10]

Personal life

Corry is a keen supporter of Scarborough FC, having first been taken to watch the club as a child, when his grandfather had a house in the town.[11][12]

Corry jetted back from Australia during the 2003 RWC for the birth of his first child, a daughter called Eve. It was literally a flying visit, as he rejoined the squad just a few days later. His son Edward was born soon after the end of the 2006 RBS 6 Nations Championship and daughter Tess was born in 2009.

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References
  1. Cleary, Mick (8 January 2008). "England start life after Martin Corry". London: The Telegraph. Retrieved 4 February 2009.
  2. "European glory seals Leicester treble". BBC. 19 May 2001. Retrieved 7 September 2014.
  3. "Tigers retain European Cup". BBC. 25 May 2002. Retrieved 7 September 2014.
  4. "History". premiershiprugby.com. Retrieved 9 February 2020.
  5. "Premiership final". BBC. 12 May 2007. Retrieved 9 February 2020.
  6. . This move was made in order that he could focus on his remaining club career with Leicester tigers.The Times – Brian Ashton pays tribute to Martin Corry
  7. "Corry retires from England duty". BBC Sport. 8 January 2008. Retrieved 27 May 2009.
  8. "Leicester Tigers' Martin Corry calls time on playing career". London: The Telegraph. 9 May 2009. Retrieved 10 May 2009.
  9. "Veteran Corry retires from rugby". BBC News. 9 May 2009. Retrieved 12 May 2010.
  10. "Corry set to captain Barbarians". BBC Sport. 27 May 2009. Retrieved 27 May 2009.
  11. "My Sport: Martin Corry". The Telegraph. 29 August 2006. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
  12. "My Life In Travel: Martin Corry". The Independent. 11 November 2006. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
Sporting positions
Preceded by
Jason Robinson
Pat Sanderson
Phil Vickery		 English National Rugby Union Captain
Mar 2005 – Mar 2006
Nov 2006
Sep 2007		 Succeeded by
Pat Sanderson
Phil Vickery
Phil Vickery
Preceded by
Brian O'Driscoll
Tour Captain
O'Driscoll
injured as active captain		 British and Irish Lions Captain
O'Driscoll
Remained Tour Captain
Jun 2005
As Active captain		 Succeeded by
Brian O'Driscoll
Tour Captain
Gareth Thomas
as active captain

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