London Wasps Forwards Coach, Craig Dowd will be leaving the club in March for a new post in New Zealand.

New Zealander Dowd has accepted a post as Rugby Development Manager for North Harbour and will be moving back home with his family to take up the post next spring.

The former prop forward joined Wasps in 2001, contributing first as a player and then as a coach to the most successful period in the club’s history. He picked up winners medals from three Premiership finals and the 2004 Heineken Cup Final before retiring from action at the end of 2004/05.

He immediately took up the post of Forwards Coach with the club, masterminding the development of one of the most dynamic squads of forwards in the English game, and was part of the Wasps coaching team that oversaw Powergen Cup success in 2006 and a second Heineken Cup victory last May.

On his departure from the club, Dowd said, “I have had a fantastic seven years with Wasps, and the memories of my time here will stay with me for the rest of my life.

“I will be sad to leave a club that is very, very close to my heart, but there are other priorities in my life that I have to consider, namely my kids.  I want to be able to give them the upbringing I had as child in New Zealand and also give them the opportunity get to know their extended family, including their grandparents.

“Ideally, I would have made the move at the end of the season but whilst North Harbour was willing to keep the job open for me for a couple of months, they would not have waited six months.

“I would therefore like to thank the London Wasps board and coaching team for their understanding in granting me an early release. I would also like to leave everyone with my best wishes and high hopes for the team in the remaining weeks of the season.

“Finally, can I extend my thanks to all Wasps’ supporters for their backing throughout my time with the club. They are some of the most understanding, intelligent and genuine supporters in the game and a valuable asset to the club.”

Director of Rugby, Ian McGeechan said, “Craig has been a great servant of Wasps, first as a player and subsequently a coach, and he has been an important contributor to the major successes the club has enjoyed during his time with us.

“He is going to a job which will allow him to move on to the next stage in his coaching career, and everyone at Wasps wishes him all the best in his new post.”

Head Coach Shaun Edwards added, “Craig was one of the greatest players of all time and when he moved on to coaching he applied himself with the same commitment and effort that epitomised his playing career. He has especially been a help and inspiration to many of the younger players at Wasps.”

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