Brian Allen is the vice-president, Human Resources, of the Pioneer Investment Management Limited, Ireland's largest asset management firm, based in the International Financial Services Centre in Dublin. For relaxation he coaches Lansdowne.
The 37-year-old Australian has taken over from Michael Cosgrave, who stepped down for personal reasons after guiding the club to the AIB League final last season, where they lost to St Mary's. Allen arrived in Ireland 14 months ago and spoke to Old Wesley, Trinity and Malahide before being steered in the direction of Lansdowne. "I liked the structure, liked the ambitions and also the people at the club." He masterminded the success of the J2 side, whom he describes as "a great bunch of lads," before being approached to assist Cosgrave. When the latter bowed out, Allen was thrust into the breach.
Allen's first love was basketball, at which he excelled for six years at underage national level. It was only when he headed for university that he decided on a sporting conversion. He played with universities at Sydney, Canberra and Wollongong as an openside flanker until retiring, aged 29, following a neck injury.
The corporate world beckoned and he spent time in Europe, the USA, Australia and New Zealand before achieving enough career stability to consider a return to rugby, albeit as a coach. He worked at the Northern Suburbs club, before work and his marriage to an Irish girl, Sharon (nee Richardson) a former IRFU employee brought him to Ireland. He is well versed with the rugby scene.
Allen travels on an Irish passport, his mother Belinda (nee Flatley) originally hailed from Galway. Lansdowne director of rugby Mick Dawson offered him a place in the coaching team and he now finds himself in a central role, assisted by former player Brian Glennon who will coach the backs.
Affable and self deprecating, Allen prefers to shun the spotlight, focusing instead on his players. "I think there is a great squad with plenty of talent at the club and on a personal level I view this as a fantastic opportunity. I think it is a good time to be here, in terms of what the Gatlands and O'Sullivans are doing. They've got the structures and hopefully everything will kick on." His charges include Irish internationals Shane Horgan and Gordon D'Arcy.
The Australian is not given to rash promises and is reluctant to second guess what the future might hold, preferring more tangible goals. His priority, unsurprisingly, is the opening match of the Division One campaign against Terenure. Preoccupied with players battling injury, Allen has adopted a low key approach.
His business origins suggest that affairs will be organised and orderly off the pitch, boasting a distinctive chain of command. If enthusiasm is a precursor to success, then Lansdowne's season could be very enjoyable indeed.
