Promotion.

Leinster coach John Fogarty will take up the role of IRFU National Academy Forwards Coach from the 1st July 2019.

Fogarty will be working across all four provinces to further develop the alignment and deliver a technical program or both scrum and lineout for coaches and players in the elite player pathway which has been so critical to date of the growing success in the development of young Irish Tight Forwards.

He will play a key role in the development of forward coaches within the elite pathway and deliver technical clinics to the Academies, National Age Grade Squads and players in the National Talent Squad (NTS).

Fogarty will assume the role of national scrum coach post Rugby World Cup 2019 where he will continue to work across all four Provinces to ensure the consistency and alignment of players is continued to be built on the back of the excellent work Greg Feek has done.

Appointed by Leinster as scrum coach in June 2015 after serving as an Elite Player Development Coach with the IRFU for four years, Fogarty has also coached at Ireland U20 level and with Leinster A. A former Heineken Cup winner with Leinster (2009), Fogarty also represented both Munster and Connacht at senior level and was capped for Ireland against New Zealand in 2010.

David Nucifora, IRFU Performance Director, commented,

“John has illustrated a keen insight into the technical aspects of forward play and this new role will enable him to drive alignment, innovation and development across the coaching and player pathway. His scrum expertise and knowledge of the players within the system makes John a terrific choice for the national team role from 2020. His progression through the IRFU coaching pathway to this position as an indigenous Irish coach is also very pleasing.”

John Fogarty, commented,

“I’ve enjoyed my time in Leinster Rugby. Working with some of the players from a young age and seeing them grow into senior players with Leinster and for some, with Ireland, has been brilliant. To get the chance to now develop that further with all four Academies and Provincial teams and to work with Andy and the rest of the Ireland set up is something that I’m very much looking forward to.

I wouldn’t have had this chance though if Leinster Rugby and Leo Cullen hadn’t given me the opportunity to work with the Leinster senior team. I am very grateful for that opportunity. I’ll miss what we have built here at Leinster but I am equally excited by what lies ahead.”