johnthegriff wrote: ↑Wed Dec 05, 2018 11:06 am
Our defence currently is not good for some reason that I cannot explain. This thread suggests that Tigers are considering the appointment of an experienced defence coach/consultant to the staff. The guy is possibly available now, the club were criticised when there was a delay in appointing Bakewell who they thought was the right man but was not immediately free which is the likely position of any successful coach. Ford has through no fault been unable to take up his appointment in America and the temporary job in Germany has come to an end. He did a decent job with England and a good job at Bath losing the position according to rumour through non rugby reasons. I have only spoken to the man on two occasions, once up at Sale when he seemed like a good bloke with a nice family and once at Harlequins when I was less impressed, however he was being very supportive of a young George. If he is appointed I will wait to see the effect he has on the team before passing judgement, my opinion will be based solely on what happens on the pitch, I think we have the players, I think they have the desire, I think Geordan Murphy will be a great coach for Tigers but he needs time with his squad to make the necessary changes and a little help may not go amiss.
I have spoken to him several times when he was living with George, who lives in my village and he has always come across a a really genuine and down to earth bloke. His defence coaching record is excellent.
"He served as a defence coach for the British and Irish Lions midweek team on their 2005 tour to New Zealand, remaining undefeated in 7 games (the test side lost the series 3-0). He left his position with Ireland in September 2005.
In May 2006 Ford became defence coach of England, part of the coaching team that guided England to the 2007 World Cup Final. With Ford as defence coach England conceded the fewest points in the in 2009 Six Nations (70) and the fewest tries in the 2010 Six Nations (5), and the fewest tries in the pool stages of the 2011 World Cup.
He joined the coaching staff at Bath Rugby. He became head coach at Bath in May 2013 and guided them to a Champions Cup spot and an Amlin Challenge Cup final. In 2014/15 Bath finished 2nd in the Premiership and lost in the Premiership Final to Saracens and was awarded the Aviva Premiership Director of Rugby of the Year award in 2015!
There can't be too many defence coaches out there with a better record than this.
Yes there was a problem at Bath in 2016 and later at Toulon but the guy can coach and should be welcomed.
George has never played for the Lions