Funeral for Gloucester Rugby stalwart John Brain is held
The funeral of Gloucester Rugby stalwart John Brain has taken place.
The service for the former player and coach was held at Gloucester Cathedral so as many people as possible could attend.
Brain made nearly 300 appearances for Gloucester and had coaching spells at Worcester Warriors and Bristol Rugby before returning to Gloucester in 2010.
He died on 27 May aged 51. The club said it had been "overwhelmed" with messages of condolence.
Those attending the funeral included former England and Gloucester rugby player Phil Vickery, and Junior Paramore.
Current Gloucester members, and representatives from both Bristol and Worcester, also attended to pay their respects.
Former Gloucester hooker Chris Fortey said: "I was fortunate to be coached by him at Gloucester and then he gave me a chance when I broke my leg, he took a bit of a risk with me and he got me to Worcester as well.
"I've got a lot of gratitude for John. Some coaches just tell you what you want to hear sometimes, but John told you what he thought straight.
"That was the biggest thing about John, he was very honest with what he said and meant every word of it."