Worcester Team
Worcester Warriors are delighted to confirm that former England and British & Irish Lions coach Phil Larder OBE will rejoin the backroom staff at Sixways next season.
Larder, who was part of Clive Woodward’s backroom staff when England won the Rugby World Cup in 2003,previously worked at Warriors during the 2006/2007 Premiership season when he helped transform the side and develop one of the meanest defences in the top-flight.
The highly respected coach now returns to Sixways to join Head Coach Richard Hill and Forwards Coach Phil Davies and will take up the position of Defence Coach.
Larder’s pedigree in the game is vast after playing rugby union at centre for Broughton Park in Manchester and then Sale Sharks. He then transferred to rugby league, playing for home town club Oldham and later Whitehaven.
He first coached in Rugby League, becoming Head Coach for Widnes Vikings, Keighley Cougars and Sheffield Eagles. Larder coached both England rugby league team at the 1995 World Cup and Great Britain and Ireland on the 1996 tour of New Zealand.
The tough Lancastrian has since applied his experience of League defensive patterns and techniques to the unique challenges of Union with unparalleled success.
Larder worked with Leicester Tigers during a four-year Premiership winning run and helped them to back-to-back Heineken Cup victories in 2001 and 2002. As well as being a key influence at Welford Road, Larder helped England to the 2003 Rugby World Cup triumph and RBS Six Nations Grand Slam in 2003. Larder was also Defence Coach on the 2001 and 2005 British and Irish Lions tours.
A former Director of Coaching for Rugby League in England, Larder also spent seven years as assistant coach to the Great Britain side.
Phil Larder who joins Warriors for pre-season said “I am delighted to join Worcester Warriors coaching staff.”
“They are an exciting club with tremendous modern facilities and excellent potential. Last year under the guidance of Head Coach Richard Hill they developed a winning habit and secured promotion.”
“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. “
“Richard Hill Warriors Head Coach is equally delighted with the new defence coach and added just how important he is to the squad”Defence is very important; we perhaps didn’t put too much emphasis on it last year and it was more about the attack.”
“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.”
Warriors can also confirm the appointment of Nutritionist Adam Carey who will be again part the back room staff. Carey who has signed a new 2 year deal was also part of the winning England back room staff for 2003 Rugby World Cup. Consequently Adam worked with defence coach Phil Larder during that period.
Charlie Little Warriors General Manager expressed his enthusiasm for the two new additions and said “It’s always good to have specialists who have worked at the very top level to come and work with us. This is a big step forward for the club by employing Phil and Adam, this really makes a statement.”
“They will both be with us for pre-season and it’s very important that we start well in September. I hope that this demonstrates to our supporters the level of impact we have with our return to the Premiership.
“A coaching team of Richard Hill, Phil Davies and Phil Larder is pretty impressive and the excitement at the club is building as we work towards the Aviva Premiership season.”