The younger brother of Australia's Matt Cockbain, lock Brent was drafted into the squad as a replacement for the banned Danny Grewcock on the back of his excellent Six Nations tournament.

Cockbain jnr only made his Wales debut just five days before their 2003 World Cup squad was named but by the end of the tournament he had made a starting position his own.

The 30-year-old qualified under the residency rule in 2003 and a string of quality performances for Pontypridd earned him his international call-up.

He then did enough in his debut against Romania to edge out the 36-cap Chris Wyatt and make Wales' 30-man World Cup squad.

He moved from the disbanded Celtic Warriors in summer 2004, joining Neath-Swansea Ospreys.

A typically hard-working second row, Cockbain is famed for his ability to steal line-out ball.