New Ireland Forwards Coach

[ceemec]

Indeed. Greg Feek's remit with Leinster went beyond just the scrum in the last year as he sought to become more involved in other aspects of forward play. Also worth noting that Feek's first 3 years with the Hurricanes as a coach were as the technical advisor to the forwards, not a specific scrum coach.

Easterby isn't the best coach in the world but he's promising and has clearly made an impression on a number of people within the game. He was a coach at 34 (while still playing) and head coach at 36. I am concerned he never served as a specific forwards coach but he was always a canny, cerebral player who was very much about the technical aspects of the game rather than bursting people in tackles or carries. I don't see our maul and line out suddenly falling apart under him.

He'll be learning on the job in a RWC year which is far from ideal but I don't think he'll lack for effort or guidance from those around him.

[JB1973]

Indeed. Greg Feek's remit with Leinster went beyond just the scrum in the last year as he sought to become more involved in other aspects of forward play. Also worth noting that Feek's first 3 years with the Hurricanes as a coach were as the technical advisor to the forwards, not a specific scrum coach.

Easterby isn't the best coach in the world but he's promising and has clearly made an impression on a number of people within the game. He was a coach at 34 (while still playing) and head coach at 36. I am concerned he never served as a specific forwards coach but he was always a canny, cerebral player who was very much about the technical aspects of the game rather than bursting people in tackles or carries. I don't see our maul and line out suddenly falling apart under him.

He'll be learning on the job in a RWC year which is far from ideal but I don't think he'll lack for effort or guidance from those around him.

so POC coaches the line out, Feek does the scrummaging so that leaves Easterby doing the breakdown? (probably his area of expertise in fairness)

[ceemec]

God knows. Easterby was a top class line out jumper in his own right so I'm sure he'll have an input into that area.

We also have a potential to call upon David Nucifora to lend some input. He was a top class coach when in the role previously and very much a technical one.

[JB1973]

On the plus side him joining Team Ireland has the added bonus of it upsetting the scarlets and their fans, always a good thing

[Morf]

On the plus side him joining Team Ireland has the added bonus of it upsetting the scarlets and their fans, always a good thing

Can we ask him to punch Liam Williams on the way out?

[Alternative Ulster]

Is Easterbunny a done deal?

[simonokeeffe]

On the plus side him joining Team Ireland has the added bonus of it upsetting the scarlets and their fans, always a good thing

Can we ask him to punch Liam Williams on the way out?

no I think we need to go with longer term psychological damage on Williams

[JB1973]

On the plus side him joining Team Ireland has the added bonus of it upsetting the scarlets and their fans, always a good thing

Can we ask him to punch Liam Williams on the way out?

rumor has it journey man prop Cai Griffith gave him a belting on a night out in Swansea a few month ago, shame that didn't make it onto youtube

[domhnallj]

On the plus side him joining Team Ireland has the added bonus of it upsetting the scarlets and their fans, always a good thing

Can we ask him to punch Liam Williams on the way out?

rumor has it journey man prop Cai Griffith gave him a belting on a night out in Swansea a few month ago, shame that didn't make it onto youtube

I thought that was compulsory on a night out in Swansea?

[JB1973]

rumor has it journey man prop Cai Griffith gave him a belting on a night out in Swansea a few month ago, shame that didn't make it onto youtube [/quote]

I thought that was compulsory on a night out in Swansea?[/quote]


ha you've been to wind street then?

[domhnallj]

rumor has it journey man prop Cai Griffith gave him a belting on a night out in Swansea a few month ago, shame that didn't make it onto youtube

I thought that was compulsory on a night out in Swansea?[/quote]


ha you've been to wind street then? [/quote]

I never go south of Durham without a gum shield.

[nc6000]

Looks like Easterby is leaving Scarlets for the Ireland job alright.....

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/rugby-union/ ... um=twitter

[Alternative Ulster]

Confirmed finally

http://www.irishrugby.ie/ireland/32151.php#.U8exxLE8luk

[offshorerules]

I think its a positive appointment, quite pleased really.

[JB1973]

Have say I think you could and should have done better, I see nothing in his coaching career that suggests he is ready to take Ireland to the next level.

Mind you as an Osprey fan, I maybe biased against him

[simonokeeffe]

I look forward to the whole pack doing great unseen work

in all seriousness if he is not up to it he will be found out very quickly, any word on duration of contract?

[ronk]

Have say I think you could and should have done better, I see nothing in his coaching career that suggests he is ready to take Ireland to the next level.

Mind you as an Osprey fan, I maybe biased against him

I guess we'll see. I have a lot of time for recent ex players as position coaches.

We needed to hire someone pretty quickly so he's a decent risk. Also, he's an Irish coach in the setup so he solves some political issues. Even better that he's not annointed and therefore isn't in a position to stab anyone in the back.

[Ruckedtobits]

No way he would be joining up if JS was in any way reluctant to have him. Scarlets gave us a few scares with Easterbunny in charge and they also produced something different tactically almost every time we played them. However, what John PLumtree brought most to the party was an open-mind, current experience and a strong personality. Working with far less talented players in Scarlets (than PLumtree had in Sharks), Easterbunny is bringing a number of the same traits. A good selection and possibly the consideration between suggestion and acceptance came from SE not from IRFU.