KIERAN CAMPBELL’S APPOINTMENT to a new role with Ealing Trailfinders has been announced today by the English Championship club.
From next season, Campbell “will work mainly in skills and assisting in coaching the backs and attack alongside director of rugby Ben Ward”, according to the West London outfit.
It was announced last month that the 41-year-old’s tenure as Ulster’s academy manager is to end this summer. He has also been replaced by Richie Murphy following a brief stint as Ireland U20 head coach.
“I am very excited with the opportunity and challenge of moving to Ealing Trailfinders for the 2021-22 season,” said the former Ireland scrum-half.
“I have been hugely impressed by Ben’s description of the processes and infrastructure they have in place. It is clear that they are extremely confident in what they are developing and are very much on course to be successful.
“The opportunity to work as a senior coach in the skills and attack areas of the game is the challenge I have been seeking and I am delighted to have been given this opportunity.”
Before taking over as head coach, Campbell had a three-year spell as assistant to Noel McNamara with the Ireland U20s, which included the Grand Slam-winning campaign of 2019.
Since he began overseeing the Ulster academy in 2015, graduates have included Rob Baloucoune, James Hume, Michael Lowry, Rob Lyttle, Stewart Moore, Nick Timoney, Jacob Stockdale and Tom O’Toole. Angus Kernohan, who he’ll be reunited with in Ealing, also came through the Ulster set-up on Campbell’s watch.
Ealing Trailfinders director of rugby Ben Ward said: “Kieran has a wealth of experience and we are very excited that he will be joining us. He shares the same vision of how the game should be played, and we believe he will be a brilliant appointment as we look to keep making strides forward.”
Absolute huge news for munster.
@Patrick O’Sullivan: isn’t it a shame as we get 2 vital players back, we lose another 2 – Daly, Oli Jager to probable season ending injury.
The revolving door continues, hope poor Jeremy has healed, he looked baet up before his stint on the bench. Great to have an attacking threat back at 12, Rory in fairness has been really solid but ball carrying freak like Nankavilli is needed, if Jack is going to be twiddling his thumbs would rather have him back for Edinburgh, unlikely. Also Coombs or Gleeson need to start. It’s a must win with a bonus point game if we want top 4. Hopefully Campbell comes into the fold too.
Is nankivell eligible for Ireland.. and if so when ?!
@Gary Galligan: 2027
@Gary Galligan: He’s not and wouldnt get a look in even if he was. We have plenty world class centres in Aki, Ringrose, Henshaw and Osborne with a few serious young talented lads coming through in Gavin, Forde and Postlewaithe who are considerably younger than Nankivell. And the same goes for Tom Farrell.
@Harry O’ Callaghan: mister Boyle says 2 years time. Bundee Robbie Gary going on 30 …. Nankivell is better than all the younger boys
@Gary Galligan: So by he’ll be 30/31 with absolutely no international experience
@Gary Galligan: huge gavin is promising
@Gary Galligan: He’s definitely not better than the younger lads who’ll be playing for Ireland very soon. Nankivell is good but he’s no world beater. We have some young prospects who have the potential to be world beaters. We have to develop our own and build for the future. That’s how it works
@Gary Galligan: no point even thinking about it as knowing munster luck when he does his 5 years and is eligible, the all blacks will have a slew of injuries at centre and end up capping him against Italy in some random summer tour
@Gary Galligan: Osborne will end up a 12 I reckon.
@scott casey: NZ don’t cap players not playing in NZ. And knowing Munster’s luck? What because something similar happened with Frisch and he decided to leave ye then? It’s always ‘poor me’ from the Moansters.
@Patrick Breen: are you alright?. It was fairly late at night to be going on a rant about a joke comment
@Seanie: Wood and Kareem too.
@Gary Galligan: he’s not better than Jamie Osborne and Hugh Gavin could easily have a higher ceiling too