Career
Quinnell played 54 games for the Cardiff club between November 1999 and May 2002 and established himself as one of the backbones of the pack. Though often in the firing line from opposition forwards, he never took a step backwards and was a firm favourite with the Cardiff faithful. He began his senior career with Llanelli and after that joined Richmond for two years.
Quinnell left Cardiff in May 2002 to join English club Saracens and, for a short while, Worcester but was among the earliest recruits to the newly established Cardiff Blues, playing for three seasons until his injury enforced retirement.
As a player Quinnell had a fearsome reputation with the ball in his hands, but also had a debatable reputation of being somewhat undisciplined, frequently picking up yellow and red cards. On 13 April 2006, Quinnell announced his retirement from professional rugby.
This came following a neck injury sustained during a game for the Cardiff Blues against Glasgow Warriors. Doctors told him that he risked being in a wheelchair if he played rugby again.
Craig Quinnell is the son of former Welsh international Derek Quinnell and the younger brother of Scott Quinnell.
The youngest Quinnell brother, Gavin, played professionally for the Scarlets.