Robin Currie McBryde was born in Bangor on 3 July 1970 and initially played his senior rugby for three north Wales clubs - Bangor, Menai Bridge and Mold. He eventually joined Swansea and then Llanelli where he captained the club to cup and league successes and made 250 appearances for Llanelli and, later, the Scarlets. His 37 caps for Wales between 1994 and 2007 included the Rugby World Cup tournament of 2003. He toured Australia with the British Isles in 2001, playing in four matches. Robin McBryde also played for Wales against the Barbarians in 2001, 2002 and 2003. In 2008 he was appointed forwards' coach for Wales, was coach for the summer tour to North America in 2009 and again in 2012 to Japan.