Christopher O'Brien (rugby league)
Encyclopedia
Christopher "Chris" O'Brien (born 16 November 1950 (age 61) in Newtown, Cardiff
) is a Welsh
former rugby union
and professional rugby league
footballer of the 1970s and '80s who at club level has played rugby union (RU) for Fairwater RFC
(see Rugby in Cardiff), and at representative level has played rugby league (RL) for Wales
, and at club level for Oldham
, and Cardiff City (Bridgend) Blue Dragons
. Starting his career across the back division, from fullback to wing, later playing at second-row, i.e. number 11 or 12, during the era of contested scrums.
(RL) while at Cardiff City (Bridgend) Blue Dragons
in the 9-28 defeat to England on Sunday 14 October 1984 at Eugene Cross Park
, Ebbw Vale
.
Cardiff
Cardiff is the capital, largest city and most populous county of Wales and the 10th largest city in the United Kingdom. The city is Wales' chief commercial centre, the base for most national cultural and sporting institutions, the Welsh national media, and the seat of the National Assembly for...
) is a Welsh
Welsh people
The Welsh people are an ethnic group and nation associated with Wales and the Welsh language.John Davies argues that the origin of the "Welsh nation" can be traced to the late 4th and early 5th centuries, following the Roman departure from Britain, although Brythonic Celtic languages seem to have...
former rugby union
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
and professional rugby league
Rugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
footballer of the 1970s and '80s who at club level has played rugby union (RU) for Fairwater RFC
Fairwater RFC
Fairwater Rugby Football Club is a Welsh rugby union club based since 1924 at Pentrebane Road, Cardiff in Wales.- History :On the playing fields, Fairwater won the Mallett Cup in 1973-74, defeating Llandaff RFC 3-0....
(see Rugby in Cardiff), and at representative level has played rugby league (RL) for Wales
Wales national rugby league team
The Wales national rugby league team represent Wales in international rugby league football matches. Currently the team is seventh in the RLIF World Rankings. The team were run under the auspices of the Rugby Football League, but an independent body, Wales Rugby League, now runs the team from...
, and at club level for Oldham
Oldham Roughyeds
Oldham Roughyeds is an English professional rugby league club based in Oldham, Greater Manchester. They currently play in the Championship One. Oldham is one of the original twenty-two rugby clubs that formed the Northern Rugby Football Union in 1895....
, and Cardiff City (Bridgend) Blue Dragons
Cardiff City Blue Dragons
The Cardiff City Blue Dragons were a rugby league team formed in 1981. Their home ground was Ninian Park which was also used by Cardiff City FC. The club spent three seasons in Cardiff before relocating to Bridgend in 1984 as the Bridgend Blue Dragons, who were finally wound up in 1986. The team...
. Starting his career across the back division, from fullback to wing, later playing at second-row, i.e. number 11 or 12, during the era of contested scrums.
International honours
Chris O'Brien won a cap for WalesWales national rugby league team
The Wales national rugby league team represent Wales in international rugby league football matches. Currently the team is seventh in the RLIF World Rankings. The team were run under the auspices of the Rugby Football League, but an independent body, Wales Rugby League, now runs the team from...
(RL) while at Cardiff City (Bridgend) Blue Dragons
Cardiff City Blue Dragons
The Cardiff City Blue Dragons were a rugby league team formed in 1981. Their home ground was Ninian Park which was also used by Cardiff City FC. The club spent three seasons in Cardiff before relocating to Bridgend in 1984 as the Bridgend Blue Dragons, who were finally wound up in 1986. The team...
in the 9-28 defeat to England on Sunday 14 October 1984 at Eugene Cross Park
Eugene Cross Park
Eugene Cross Park is a rugby and cricket ground in Ebbw Vale, Wales. In November 1919 the Ebbw Vale Welfare Association was formed and bought the "Bridgend Field". The of land became known as the Welfare Ground, and in 1973 its name was changed to its present title in honour of Sir Eugene Cross,...
, Ebbw Vale
Ebbw Vale
Ebbw Vale is a town at the head of the valley formed by the Ebbw Fawr tributary of the Ebbw River, south Wales. It is the largest town and the administrative centre of Blaenau Gwent county borough...
.