The IRFU’s attempts to further develop frontrow forwards have led them to appoint Seamus Toomey as performance pathway scrum coach.
In his time as forwards coach at Blackrock College, Toomey has helped develop players including Ireland internationals Oli Jager, Jeremy Loughman, Thomas Clarkson and Gus McCarthy.
Toomey will work alongside national scrum coach John Fogarty and provincial coaching staff to implement the National Scrum Programme, according to an IRFU statement, in “identifying and developing a new generation of front row forwards across the system.”
Leinster win in La Rochelle - grit or alarm bells?
The Limerick man has also worked as a scrum coach with Old Belvedere and is currently part of Neil Doak’s Ireland under-20s coaching ticket.
Aer Lingus passenger abandoned at Charles de Gaulle and then ignored
Five years after Covid, we scorn health workers, ignore vaccines and work in our offices
Can I get a State pension if I only start work here in my late 50s?
Couple from Ukraine take High Court case over alleged loss of welfare payments
Peter Smyth, IRFU head of elite player development, said: “We’re delighted to confirm the appointment of Seamus to this new and important position within our Performance Pathway. Seamus has accumulated a vast amount of experience and expertise working with young frontrow players across our schools and club game over the course of 20 years, and he will continue to be an invaluable asset to Irish Rugby within this new role moving forward.
“Identifying and developing frontrow forwards is a major focus for us and we hope Seamus’ commitment, dedication and proven success in doing so, as he works alongside John Fogarty, our Performance Pathway staff and the Provincial coaches, will drive this forward.”
Toomey added: “I am delighted to join the IRFU in this new role at such an exciting time for Irish Rugby. I have worked extensively within different areas of our game over a number of years, but to now have the platform to work at a National Level and use my experience to align our National Scrum Programme across the age-grade programmes and facilitate the continued development of world-class front row players to represent Ireland is a hugely exciting opportunity.”
- Sign up for push alerts and have the best news, analysis and comment delivered directly to your phone
- Join The Irish Times on WhatsApp and stay up to date
- Listen to our Inside Politics podcast for the best political chat and analysis
