Ireland Assistant Coach

Mark Tainton is a former Bristol outhalf who was capped at both England A and U23 levels in his career, during which he scored over 3,000 points.

After his retirement from competitive rugby in 1997, he was appointed kicking coach for the England tour to Argentina that Summer. He moved further into coaching and was head coach for Richmond Rugby in the English premiership from 1997-1999.

Following that, he was appointed Director of Rugby for Oxford University from 1999 - 2002, winning three varsity games. Throughout his coaching career he continued to deliver his considerable kicking expertise on a consultancy basis and began working with Munster in 2002, following which he joined the Ireland squad and has worked with them since.