Ex-Gloucester boss Ryan makes frontline coaching return with Scotland
FORMER Gloucester boss Dean Ryan is back in frontline coaching for the first time since leaving Kingsholm – with Scotland.
The ex-England number eight has taken up a 12-week contract as interim forwards coach, to work under temporary Scotland boss Scott Johnson for the course of the forthcoming Six Nations.
Still based in Cheltenham, Ryan has mixed his Sky Sports punditry with a number of consultancy roles at clubs since leaving Gloucester in 2009.
Ryan offered his expertise to Old Patesians in the pre-season, while his latest role has been with Newport Gwent Dragons.
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But this international task is his first major coaching job since his unceremonious Kingsholm exit.
Former Bristol boss and Wasps loose forward Ryan explained: “I’ve responded to an invitation from Scott (Johnson) to assist the Scotland management team over the next 12 weeks and will look to bring my experience to bear to give Scotland players the best opportunity to represent their country in the best way.”
Scotland’s interim forwards coach is Stevie Scott, the man dumped out of Sale Sharks’ revamped set-up earlier this season, while defence coach Matt Taylor and specialist coaches Duncan hodge and Massimo Cuttita continue in the management line-up too.
Since leaving Kingsholm Ryan has had plenty of opportunity to return to frontline coaching full-time, but still seems slightly reticent to do so.
While this new role remains a short-term arrangement at this stage, should it prove successful there will be no barrier to him continuing permanently.
After taking the Kingsholm helm in 2005, Ryan guided Gloucester to the Premiership final in 2007 – only for his side to be overrun 44-16.
The Cherry and Whites lost their Premiership semi-final against Leicester in 2008, but despite all the promise and the near-misses Ryan’s tenure unravelled a year later.
Hefty 50-12 defeat to Cardiff Blues in the Anglo-Welsh Cup final ultimately cost Ryan his job at Gloucester, but now – nearly four years on – he makes his first return to top-line coaching.
Comments
by Steve_Bronko
Friday, January 04 2013, 8:18PM
“Rupert Harden is the number 1 and the best tight head at Gloucester Rugby. That is why Nigel Davies selects him for the crucial games.”
by sam_silent
Friday, January 04 2013, 8:15PM
“I am looking forward to Rupert coming back from injury and reclaiming the tight-head position. It is his because he is the top tight-head at Gloucester.”
by BillBM
Friday, January 04 2013, 8:12PM
“Harden is a superb tighthead and has been marvellous all season.”
by s_sorca
Friday, January 04 2013, 8:09PM
“Yep! Our scrum is always underpowered when Harden isn't in there propping.”
by CrunchMan
Friday, January 04 2013, 8:00PM
“The troll, KAF1960 aka glawsteruk1 aka Kap721 aka akadau and all his other user names, trying to dictate what others can comment on. This comments board is provided by TiG, not him.”
by Don_Deakin
Friday, January 04 2013, 7:50PM
“Rupert harden = Top man = Top tight head = Gloucester Rugby's first choice tight head”
by Dave_Baldwin
Friday, January 04 2013, 7:45PM
“Let's face it, Gloucester's scrum is never the same without Rupert Harden anchoring it. Nigel Davies knows that which is why he (and not the clueless multi-identitied troll glawslad/akadau/flanker_6/etc.) selects Harden to start in the tough, critical games.”
by Roon77
Friday, January 04 2013, 7:42PM
“Our top rated tight head, Harden, has really turned on the style this season (obviously the troll KAF1960/_AndreOvredal/akadau/flanker_6 has never seen any of it as he never goes to any Gloucester games). Harden makes selection for the starting tight head position so easy for Nigel Davies.”
by TuffleyRaider
Friday, January 04 2013, 7:38PM
“Harden = Gloucester Rugby's first choice tight head. No doubt about it!”
by StanFromGlaws
Friday, January 04 2013, 7:36PM
“Everyone knows that KAF1960 is the same person posting all his Gloucester and Harden hating bile. But _AndreOvredal and Barkyhead is the same troll too.”