New Defence Co-Ordinator for Ireland Team

Mike Ford, coach to the Oldham Rugby League club for the past two years, is to join the Ireland rugby team management as defence co-ordinator. The 36 years old has had a distinguished playing career in rugby league as a
scrum half, notably with Castleford, Leigh, Wigan, Wakefield, Warrington and the South Queensland Crushers, in Australia.

Having resigned as Oldham coach today to take up the newly created position with the Ireland team, Ford said: “I have always had the ambition to work
with international rugby union players and the offer from Eddie O’Sullivan to team up with Ireland gives me the chance to be involved with many world class stars. It is a challenge I truly relish.”

New Ireland team coach Eddie O’Sullivan says: ” Mike Ford brings another critical layer of specialist coaching talent to the Irish management structure. He has the reputation of being one of the brightest, innovative
young coaches in Britain and I am delighted to have secured his services in the newly created position as defensive co-ordinator.”

Ford will join the new Irish management team of coach O’Sullivan, manager, Brian O’Brien, assistant coach Declan Kidney and specialist forwards coach
Niall O’Donovan at a week long squad training session in Limerick, from January 13 to 18 next.