Gloucester Rugby stalwart John Brain dies

John Brain made nearly 300 appearances for Gloucester

John Brain, a stalwart of Gloucester Rugby club, has died.

The club said it was "deeply saddened" after learning that the former player and coach had passed away on Sunday morning, aged 51.

Brain made nearly 300 appearances for Gloucester and had coaching spells at Worcester Warriors and Bristol Rugby before returning to Gloucester in 2010.

The club said it was "desperately sad news" and its thoughts were with his wife and daughters.

"John was a true Gloucester Rugby stalwart, representing his home town club with distinction for the vast majority of his rugby playing career," a spokesman said.

After retiring from playing, he served as an assistant coach at Gloucester before moving to Worcester where he guided the club into the Guinness Premiership league for the first time in their history.

He then moved down the M5 to work for Bristol as a forwards coach.

In December 2010 he returned to Gloucester Rugby in a scouting capacity and took on the role of rugby operations manager for the 2011-12 season.