Tyldesley RUFC was where Brian played fly-half in his first season in 1965/6, then his preferred position of scrum-half for 1966/67. Although offered professional terms by various Rugby League clubs, Brian moved to Fylde and then to Orrell from 1973 to be closer to his Leigh home.
Brian never represented England; the closest he came was as an unused bench replacement on 15 March 1975 against Scotland. He played representational rugby for Lancashire, England North, England tourists and the Barbarians.
Brian has coached rugby at club and international level, and has a reputation as one of the best backs coaches in world rugby. Brian built his credentials on an expansive approach.
In his first spell as Head Coach, Brian led Bath to their last domestic trophy in 1996. As Assistant Coach of Bath, under Jack Rowell, he helped establish Bath as the dominant team in English rugby for a decade to the mid-1990s.
Brian was Sir Clive Woodward's assistant from 1998 to 2002. Brian was the RFU's National Academy Manager from 2002 to 2005, playing a key part in the launch of England Rugby's National Academy system, creating the Junior and Senior National Academies to develop the most talented players at England A, Sevens, Under 21 and Under 19 level. Brian also coached some of these feeder teams, including England A.
In September 2008, he was appointed director of coaching at the University of Bath and also successfully coached the Oxford University Blues team to Twickenham success in the 2008 Varsity match.
He was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire in the 2008 New Year Honours.
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