The Iron Curtain: My Rugby Journey from League to Union

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Even Brett Hodgson, after two fairly disastrous seasons in charge of Hull FC, was recently recruited by Eddie Jones as England’s new defence coach. Yet Sinfield, when asked about his own international ambitions, said: “I try and take it day by day by thinking about where I am now and how I can get better. The inside-centre shouldn’t just be a tough defender, he has got to ask questions. I always looked at it as what would I least like to defend against, and playing two footballers at ten-12 asks far more difficult questions of a defence.” OUR former centre Phil Larder, a significant figure in the rugby life story of Roughyeds’ managing director Mike Ford, will be featured in a new book just out about the inside story of England’s triumph in the 2003 Rugby Union World Cup in Australia. The way Shaun organises France’s defence, every rugby league coach has to think like that – so there’s plenty that have something to offer.”

Until then Robinson had begun each season much as Sir Clive Woodward before him had done, calling a meeting of England's coaches. Only this time the format was different. Instead of being encouraged to put their ideas on the table, the coaches were told that big changes lay ahead. "Andy said it was going to be player-led and the players were going to have far more influence," said Larder. "I objected straight away. I said if you go down this route with the present group of players we are going to have real problems. Being at Leicester is a little bit different but I tend to stay down one or two nights a week. It allows me to get a lot of work done during the evenings and spend some time with the other coaches who stay down here as well. We’re able to talk shop, so it’s been a really enjoyable journey so far for me. I came here for the challenge and I certainly got one. I made Shaun captain of England rugby league when I coached them at the World Cup [in 1995]. Faz was probably the most important player in the forwards because he could play like a second-row and a fly-half.I found it confusing initially, and I said to Clive that I couldn’t throw drills in at Test level until I got to try them at a club side,” Larder says. He settled at Leicester Tigers in 1998 and is credited with a pivotal role in their success in both the Premiership and in Europe. Suddenly, league had something to offer union.

Sinfield, who skippered Leeds to seven Super League titles, said he did not even deserve to be mentioned in the same sentence as Edwards. Dave has worked with the RFU since 2002 as their Kit Technician and his experience with the team on their World Cup campaign in 2003 will stand him in good stead for the tour. Meeting rooms are among the most important stages for coaches. It is here that they can motivate teams through sheer magnetism. This seems particularly important to defence, which lives and dies by togetherness and determination. Larder, of course, went on to become the RFL’s Director of Coaching. He wrote two books on rugby league coaching and coached Sheffield, Keighley and Widnes before being appointed Great Britain coach. Warriors general manager Charlie Little said: "It's always good to have specialists who have worked at the very top level to come and work with us.Larder also worked on the coaching staff at Leicester for four years between 1998 and 2002 during a golden era when the club won numerous Premiership and European titles. Larder, part of Sir Clive Woodward's support staff when England lifted the Rugby World Cup in 2003, teams up with the Warriors for the second time having worked at Sixways during the 2006-07 season.

Larder, who was defence coach when England won the 2003 rugby union World Cup, was in charge of Keighley at the heart of their successful period from 1994-96 and is returning to the League 1 club as part-time director of coaching.

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When I walked into their review of the match against Australia, I looked at Martin Johnson. At 6ft 7in, he was much taller than anyone I’d coached before. Darren Garforth was 6ft wide and stubby. I’d never coached anyone like that before, either. He coached England and Great Britain national teams in rugby league, and in rugby union he was defence coach of England, and the British & Irish Lions. He coached World Cup finals with England against Australia in both codes – losing the 1995 rugby league final, before winning the 2003 final in rugby union. Louise’s joined England on their successful World Cup campaign in 2003, tour to Argentina in 2002 and Summer tour to Australia and New Zealand in 2004. She previously worked with the British Olympic Committee winning her MBE as a result of that work over a ten year period. Louise was appointed Tour Manager at the same time as Clive Woodwards appointment to Head Coach and his faith in her abilities to manage the tour were recognised as crucial in the successful running of the tour. My job is not only to help the Warriors cement a place in the Premiership but help to inspire them to become one of the leading rugby clubs in England. “ And it was also their characters; both very tough guys with the ability to get respect from those around them. I read somewhere that Owen Farrell seems to have the same skills. It’s just something that some people have. I think it’s more innate than learned.”

I think Leicester might just want to tap into a really strong character because Kevin has not only raised an incredible sum of money by running seven marathons in seven days, he also captained Leeds in their most successful era. Edwards and Farrell, born and bred Wiganers who made their names in the famous cherry and white jersey, have become two of the most respected coaches in rugby union.As the importance grows during the Aviva Premiership, getting a specialist into the team like Phil gives the players so much confidence. Phil is one of the best in his field and comes with a very good reputation.”