Francis Edward Cotton

Francis Edward Cotton

Francis Edward Cotton was born in Wigan on 3 January 1948 and educated at Newton-le-Willows Grammar School and Loughborough College where he qualified as a teacher. He played club rugby for Sale and Coventry. He gained 31 caps at prop for England between 1971 and 1981 and was captain in three internationals. On three British Isles tours between 1974 and 1980 he played in 34 games, including seven tests. In 1997 he was manager of the Lions' tour to South Africa. After his playing days Fran Cotton set up the successful Cotton Traders clothing company with his partner Steve Smith [q.v.]