Draft:Matt Corker

Matthew Corker (born 30 November 1982) is an English rugby union coach and former player. He is currently head coach for Canterbury RFC.

Hailing from Broadstairs in Kent, Corker formerly played as lock for London Wasps and London Welsh and as a player coach at Richmond RFC and Canterbury RFC. Corker stands at 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) and 17 st 6 lb (111 kg).

London Wasps: 2005–2007
Corker joined London Wasps in the summer of 2005 and made his debut in a pre-season friendly against the Exeter Chiefs in August 2005. In the 2005-6 season he played in every game for Wasps A team and made his English Rugby Premiership debut for the 1st XV against Worcester Warriors in March 2006. Corker won the London Wasps Young Player of the Year Award for the 2005-6 season. He went on to make further appearances for Wasps in the 2006-07 season including against Saracens in December 2006.

London Welsh: 2007–2016
Corker joined London Welsh in the summer of 2007 and went on to make over 240 appearances over 9 seasons, including two RFU Championship winning seasons in 2011-12 and 2013-14, two seasons in the Premiership in 2012-13 and 2014-15  and one British and Irish Cup win. He held the role of club captain before and during Welsh's 2014-15 season in the Premiership and of lineout coach on their 2015-16 return to the Championship.

Coaching Roles: 2016–2024
In 2016 Corker began his coaching career by joining Richmond FC as a player coach for their first season in the Championship, helping them to remain in the division. During this time Corker also developed his experience by operating as forwards coach for Imperial College rugby.

In 2017 he joined Canterbury RFC as a player coach under head coach Andy Pratt, making over 70 appearances and gaining promotion to National League 1 in 2019. On joining Canterbury he took on the role of forwards coach alongside former Sale prop Matt Pinnick, as well as undertaking community coaching with local schools in East Kent.

In 2020 Corker took over as head coach at Canterbury and has retained his position through to Canterbury's 2023-24 season in National League 2. He stepped down from playing duties in 2022.

Background
His early playing career began playing for Chatham House Grammar School in Ramsgate, becoming captain of the 1st XV. As a junior he played for local rugby side Thanet Wanderers.

While studying at the University of Bath he gained international recognition with the England Universities side. His debut for England Universities came against Australia Universities at Clifton RFC in Bristol. England ran out 18-11 winners and Corker completed a full 80 minutes at second row in the victory. Corker also played for the University's 1st XV in the BUCS Premier Men's South Division A.

Corker played for a number of teams whilst finishing his course at university, including Havant RFC in the Powergen London League during the 2003–04 season.