The Iron Curtain: My Rugby Journey from League to Union

Product Information

Dave has been an experienced international referee with 29 test matches under his belt before retiring in 2004. He refereed in two world cups and is the only ref to have taken charge of two Heineken Cup Finals. He now works as a Referee Development Officer for the IRU. His experience and advice will be invaluable for the tourists in New Zealand. Former Rugby League stalwart, Phil Larder joined England as the first specialist coach of his kind under Clive Woodward. His talent and abilities are recognised through the game and his appointment will be welcomed throughout the team. Phil Larder moved from league and was Clive Woodward’s defence coach when England won the World Cup in 2003. Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian Larder has written two books on coaching rugby league – The Rugby League Skills Manual, published in 1983 and The Rugby League Coaching Manual, published in 1988.

Craig has worked as a Strength and Conditioning coach since 1990 for teams including Waterloo RFC and the Irish RFU before taking up a position with Wasps RFU in 2002. Working with Dave Reddin, White’s duties will be to ensure the players dietary and conditioning training will be of the highest standard.Right-centre Larder played in “only” 328 games, but how’s this for a scoring record — 111 tries, 475 goals,1,283 points. The pinnacle of his achievements in the 15-a-side code was winning the RU World Cup in the final against Australia in Australia, for which he received the MBE. Sinfield had a stint in rugby union playing for Yorkshire Carnegie at the end of his playing career but has never coached in the 15-a-side game. Andy Robinson is one of Clive Woodward’s most loyal supporters and lynchpins. Robinson is renowned as being Woodward’s long term right hand man with England seeing them through to the successful World Cup Campaign in 2003. Although now Head Coach of England in his own right, Robinson will be keen to link up with Woodward again and re-form the partnership that made English rugby so successful and try to emulate that with the Lions. He is also a firm advocate of the specialist No 7, and was mystified by Matt Kvesic’s early cut from England’s squad last summer ahead of the World Cup – “Something must have happened there,” he says.

There is always emotion in defence; I don’t try to take that out. It is important that we are passionate about defending for each other and defending our line and it’s important we are aggressive and we get off the line and are physical.

Trending Video

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. Phil Larder, a World Cup winner in 2003, feels proud to watch the influence of the 13-a-side code continue. Now 77, he became Clive Woodward’s defence coach in 1997. In his first week, Larder attended England’s debrief of a 15-15 draw with Australia. 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. He played rugby union as a centre for Broughton Park, playing regularly in the first team by the age of 16. He later played for Manchester and Sale, and became known as a particularly good sevens player. Players under the old system tended to stay with one club for much longer than they do today, writes ROGER HALSTEAD.

You did two and a half seasons, scoring in your last-ever game, at home to Featherstone in the 2004 play-offs. 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.” I didn’t feel John knew how to get the best out of me, and it showed in my performances. Sheffield were offered Simon Baldwin and Martin Pearson for me and Beans. Halifax had just come third so it was a great opportunity. I had a good year, scoring tries all over the place, but they had financial problems. Players were going on strike, and it ended up being a nightmare. I was on about 35 grand, and they wanted me to take a ten grand cut. I couldn’t afford that and went to Salford in 2000. Power station: Julian White was favoured against the Boks due to their physical but limited approachPrevious documentaries have captured Andy Farrell in full flight, imploring an audience of British and Irish Lions to “ destroy and enjoy”. Netflix will want a piece of that action, and should have plenty of opportunity. Larder began his playing career at centre for Manchester club side Broughton Park before signing for Sale. He then decided to transfer cross-code to rugby league, where he played for Oldham and later Whitehaven. 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.