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LONDON IRISH RUGBY NAME TOBY BOOTH AS HEAD COACH |
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London Irish announced today (18th July) that Toby Booth has been appointed Head Coach with immediate effect. Mike Catt will work with Toby in an expanded player/coach role.
Announcing the new coaching set up, Andrew Coppel, Chairman of London Irish said,"It was always our preference to promote internally provided we had the right calibre of staff, reflecting capability, experience and potential. I am delighted that Toby has agreed to become Head Coach, supported by Mike. These appointments also provide vital continuity as we seek to build on the momentum of the last two years to enable us to consistently challenge for honours and become the club of choice."
Commenting on his appointment Toby Booth said, "I'm delighted to have the chance to be Head Coach at this great club and am excited about working with the new coaching set up and our playing squad.
"We plan to operate an integrated approach among the coaches with each supporting and challenging the other," Toby continued. "The positive approach to playing the game that has been the hallmark of London Irish in recent seasons will continue.
"The new season will bring fresh challenges, not least the introduction of the new experimental law variations (ELVs), however we're ready to embrace them and take the club forward. Our priority will be to perform well in the Guinness Premiership and in Europe and win some overdue silverware.
"We have has a great squad which is capable of competing at the highest level and will look to strengthen it with quality players as required over coming months," Toby concluded.
Mike Catt said, "I've enjoyed my four seasons at London Irish and am really looking forward to my expanded role. There comes a time in every player's career where he has to look to the future. For me moving into full time coaching is a natural progression and I'm pleased to have the opportunity of doing so. We have a very talented set of young backs with the potential to make a real impact at European and international level; it will be rewarding to play a part in helping them to get there."
Toby Booth: Head Coach - Profile
Toby Booth is in the top rank of England's young coaches and is rapidly earning a reputation as one of the most innovative coaches of his generation. Over the past three seasons his work with the London Irish forwards has received universal acclaim not just in this country but also in Europe. He was forwards coach of the England Saxons team that successfully defended the Barclays Churchill Cup last month.
When London Irish received its first England Academy Licence from the Rugby Football Union (RFU) in 2002 Toby joined the club as assistant Academy Manager. He played a key role in setting up the new organisation and was responsible for the recruitment and development of the initial intake of players, many of whom have now graduated to full time status with the club - nine of the 30 players in the current senior squad are graduates of the club's Academy.
From 2003 he had increasing involvement with the Exiles' senior squad, eventually taking on responsibility for the scrum and lineout in 2004. He was appointed Forwards Coach in June 2005 since when the London Irish pack has consistently been among the most effective in the Guinness Premiership.
Toby is a graduate of Saint Mary's College, Twickenham and has completed Level Four of the Rugby Football Union's Elite Specialist Coaching Award to supplement his Premiership experience.
The 39-year-old comes from Folkstone in Kent and learned his rugby at Folkstone and Blackheath Rugby Clubs. He has coached England Students, Universities, Under 21 and Saxons teams.
Mike Catt: Player/Coach - Profile
Mike Catt MBE (36) has made an outstanding contribution in rugby union as a play-maker for club and country, including a crucial role in winning the 2003 Rugby World Cup and helping England reach the final of the RWC in 2007.
South African-born, Mike went to Grey Junior and High School in Port Elizabeth and represented Eastern Province, before coming to this country where he has played all his senior rugby.
He joined Bath in 1992 and stayed at the Recreation Ground for 12 years. He had a testimonial year with Bath in 2004 and joined London Irish for the 2004-05 season, where his contribution was such that he was named Guinness Premiership Player of the Season for 2005-06.
In four seasons with the Exiles Mike has made 71 first team appearances and scored seven tries and a total of 74points. He has also been acting as a mentor to the club's talented young backs and assisted with coaching them last season.
In 16 years of senior rugby Mike has played at full back, fly half and centre for club and country against the best players in world rugby. He will be using that experience as he takes on an expanded coaching role with London Irish. |
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