Coach to Coach - news, interviews, opinion and more - The Rugby Paper

There’s honour and pride in playing for your county – Tony Hill

The Rugby Paper Team — Sun, 25 May 2025 02:59:05 +0000

Steve Hill talks to Tony Hill, below, head coach of Somerset county men (Division 1) and Nailsea & Backwell RFC in Counties 1 Tribute Western North (Level 7) What is your playing background? I played my junior rugby at Yatton RFC in Somerset before heading off to university in Swansea. I played for the university […]

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I am really proud of our back-to-back promotions

The Rugby Paper Team — Sun, 14 Jul 2024 02:59:13 +0000

Coach to coach Steve Hill puts the questions to Myles Landick, below, head coach at Jersey RFC Why did you get into coaching rugby and how did you arrive at your current position? I had to retire from professional rugby with Jersey Reds due to injury. During my recovery, I started coaching a local side […]

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I’m proud of the culture we have created here

The Rugby Paper Team — Sun, 07 Jul 2024 02:59:10 +0000

Coach to coach Steve Hill puts the questions to Anthony Howcroft, below, head coach at Sale FC Why did you get into coaching and how did you arrive at your current position? My good mate and Macclesfield team-mate Jonathan Keep had taken up a player coach role at Sale FC, I’d retired from playing the […]

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We’ve had brilliant seasons in Croatia

The Rugby Paper Team — Sun, 16 Jun 2024 02:59:03 +0000

Coach to coach Steve Hill puts the questions to Anthony Posa, below, head coach of Sheffield RUFC and the Croatia National XVs and 7s teams Why did you get into coaching rugby and how did you arrive at your current position? After playing in New Zealand, Japan, Italy, Croatia and Scotland, I arrived in England […]

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Repaying loyalty is absolutely paramount

The Rugby Paper Team — Sun, 12 May 2024 02:58:54 +0000

Steve Hill puts the questions to Tom Huggins, head coach at Dudley Kingswinford RFC Why did you get into coaching rugby and how did you arrive at your current position? Sport was massive for me growing up, and more specifically rugby. I studied sports coaching both at college and university so I was pretty determined […]

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With selection, you can’t keep every player happy

The Rugby Paper Team — Sun, 05 May 2024 02:59:22 +0000

Steve Hill puts the questions to Chris Wilkins, below, the head coach at Esher, champions of National Two East Why did you get into coaching rugby and how did you arrive at your current position? I went into full time coaching when the firm I was working with in the City was taken over and […]

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I want to get the best out of every individual

The Rugby Paper Team — Sun, 28 Apr 2024 02:59:04 +0000

COACH TO COACH Former Richmond director of rugby Steve Hill puts the questions to Scott Barrow, the head coach at Sedgley Park Tigers Why did you get into coaching rugby and how did you arrive at your current position? I was a professional rugby player for 16 years at St Helen’s, Worcester, Rotherham, Glasgow and Leeds. After […]

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The four clubs in Kyiv have to share one pitch

The Rugby Paper Team — Sun, 21 Apr 2024 02:58:43 +0000

Coach to Coach Former Richmond DoR Steve Hill puts the questions to Dimitri Basilaia, the Ukraine assistant coach Why did you get into coaching rugby and how did you arrive at your current position? I played 38 times for my country Georgia, including against England in the 2011 World Cup. Subsequently I played professionally for […]

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More local derbies in the north would help

The Rugby Paper Team — Sun, 14 Apr 2024 02:59:05 +0000

Former Richmond boss Steve Hill talks to Ben Woods, below, the head coach at Tynedale in National Two North Why did you get into coaching rugby and how did you arrive at your current position? My first coaching role was helping with Durham University’s Freshers side in about 2007. I was playing for Newcastle Falcons […]

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Bring back rucking and kill the jackal

The Rugby Paper Team — Sun, 07 Apr 2024 02:58:59 +0000

Coach to coach Former Richmond director of rugby Steve Hill puts the questions to Paul Turner, below, coach of Championship club Ampthill RFC Why did you get into coaching rugby and how did you arrive at your current position? I was introduced to coaching while still playing. I began as player/coach at Newport RFC in […]

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Free flowing rugby is my prime aim

The Rugby Paper Team — Mon, 01 Apr 2024 02:59:59 +0000

Former Richmond director of rugby Steve Hill puts the questions to Amy Turner, former Red Roses front rower and current head coach of Harlequins Women Why did you get into coaching rugby and how did you arrive at your current position? Throughout my playing career I had a passion for coaching and lear ning the […]

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You must reward and value effort

The Rugby Paper Team — Sun, 24 Mar 2024 03:58:01 +0000

Former Richmond director of rugby Steve Hill puts the questions to Ryan Watkins, head coach of Luctonians RFC, currently second in National League Two West Why did you get into coaching rugby and how did you arrive at your current position? I wanted to be a PE teacher growing up and did start off that […]

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Each day, I can see the positive impact of rugby

The Rugby Paper Team — Sun, 10 Mar 2024 03:58:31 +0000

Former Richmond director of rugby Steve Hill puts the questions to Alex Rae, below, the head coach at Championship side Coventry RFC Why and how did you get into coaching rugby? Rugby has been my world since I was 17 playing as a professional. As a player I was always a leader so going into […]

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National Leagues should go back to old tackle laws

The Rugby Paper Team — Sun, 03 Mar 2024 03:58:46 +0000

Former Richmond director of rugby Steve Hill puts the questions to Jack Heald, below, the director of rugby at Barnes RFC Why did you get into coaching rugby and how did you arrive at your current position? In 2007/08 I was lucky enough to sail around the world. During this time I met my wife […]

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This is probably the safest the sport has been

The Rugby Paper Team — Sun, 25 Feb 2024 03:58:34 +0000

Former Richmond director of rugby Steve Hill puts the questions to Jacob Ford, below, the director of rugby at Ipswich School and Bury St Edmunds RFC Why did you get into coaching rugby and how did you arrive at your current position? I started coaching at 18/19 years old being a player coach and in […]

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University rugby should be part of RFU pathway

The Rugby Paper Team — Sun, 18 Feb 2024 03:58:31 +0000

Coach to Coach Former Richmond director of rugby Steve Hill puts the questions to John Barnes, below, director of rugby at Hartpury RFC Why did you get into coaching rugby and how did you arrive at your current position? After leaving Loughborough University I travelled to Italy to play in the Serie A for San […]

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Tykes are on track but job’s far from done

The Rugby Paper Team — Sun, 11 Feb 2024 03:58:34 +0000

COACH TO COACH Former Richmond DoR Steve Hill talks to Mike Aspinall, below, head coach at Leeds Tykes, who are currently top of National Two North Why did you get into coaching rugby and how did you arrive at your current position? I coached rugby to some degree for most of my playing career. I […]

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Aspiration key to maintain a vibrant league

The Rugby Paper Team — Sun, 04 Feb 2024 03:58:31 +0000

Former Richmond director of rugby Steve Hill puts the questions to Gavin Cattle, the joint head coach of Cornish Pirates Why did you get into coaching and how did you arrive at your current position? I love the game and enjoy helping players improve. Alongside playing I coached DPP level for Exeter. Whilst playing for […]

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Building strong relationships is key to success

The Rugby Paper Team — Sun, 28 Jan 2024 03:58:31 +0000

Former Richmond director of rugby Steve Hill talks to Peter Glackin, the Birmingham Moseley head coach, below Steve Hill: How and why did you get into coaching rugby? As a player I was always interested in coaching. My late dad used to coach me. My role as a lecturer led me into coaching which now […]

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Coach to Coach with Richard Kevern

The Rugby Paper Team — Sun, 21 Jan 2024 03:58:33 +0000

Former Richmond director of rugby Steve Hill, above, talks to Redruth head coach Richard Kevern, below Steve Hill: How and why did you get into coaching rugby and how did you arrive in your current coaching role? I got an opportunity to coach Cornwall U20s while still playing at Redruth. I was out injured for […]

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Happy players are more likely to stay

The Rugby Paper Team — Sun, 14 Jan 2024 03:58:19 +0000

Former Richmond director of rugby Steve Hill talks to Cai Griffiths, the ex-Ospreys prop now director of rugby at London Welsh who play at Level 5 in the RFU leagues Steve Hill: How and why did you get into coaching rugby? I was coming to the end of more than 10 years as a professional […]

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As a coach, you are learning all the time

The Rugby Paper Team — Sun, 07 Jan 2024 03:58:45 +0000

Former Richmond director of rugby Steve Hill talks to Matt Cairns, the ex-England and Harlequins hooker who is head coach at Caldy RFC in the Championship. Steve Hill: How and why did you get into coaching rugby? While playing I had always enjoyed coaching and throughout my playing career had coached local amateur teams such […]

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Coach to Coach with Martin Webdale

The Rugby Paper Team — Sun, 31 Dec 2023 03:59:02 +0000

Former Richmond director of rugby Steve Hill, below, talks to Martin Webdale, the head coach at Loughborough University, above Steve Hill: How and why did you get into coaching rugby? Rugby has always been a passion of mine; my dad coached the mini and junior teams that I played in at Chelmsford RFC. I remember […]

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Coach to Coach with Richie Williams

The Rugby Paper Team — Sun, 17 Dec 2023 03:58:21 +0000

Former Richmond director of rugby Steve Hill talks to Cambridge director of rugby Richie Williams Steve Hill: How and why did you get into coaching rugby? Coming from a teaching background, coaching was always something that interested me. I was able to begin my coaching career when I was still playing rugby, so had a […]

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Coach to Coach with Paul Morris

The Rugby Paper Team — Sun, 10 Dec 2023 03:59:07 +0000

Former Richmond director of rugby Steve Hill talks to Cinderford director of rugby Paul Morris Steve Hill: How and why did you get into coaching rugby? My first coaching role was with the Old Patesians U14s in 1997- 98 and I took them through to U19 level. A great time. How did you arrive in […]

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Coach to Coach with Taff Gwilliam

The Rugby Paper Team — Sun, 03 Dec 2023 03:59:16 +0000

Steve Hill speaks to Taff Gwilliam who last season lead Kent to their first County Championship title since 1927 and is currently director of rugby at Canterbury in National Two East. Steve Hill: How and why did you get into coaching rugby? I didn’t plan to become a coach but fell into it. My sons […]

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Coach to Coach with Neil Shillingford

The Rugby Paper Team — Sun, 26 Nov 2023 03:59:18 +0000

Former Richmond boss Steve Hill talks to Dudley Kingswinford director of rugby Neil Shillingford Steve Hill: How and why did you get into coaching rugby? I had been club captain for a few years at my first Club Kings Norton RFC. I then took on the position of player coach mainly because there was no […]

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Coach to Coach with Gareth Lewis

The Rugby Paper Team — Sun, 19 Nov 2023 03:58:55 +0000

Former Richmond director of rugby Steve Hill, above, talks to Rotherham head coach Gareth Lewis, below. After 10 years of successful coaching at Huddersfield RUFC Gareth recently moved to be head coach at Rotherham Titans. Heading into this weekend, Rotherham sat in second place in National Two North. Steve Hill: How and why did you […]

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Coach to Coach with Armand Roux

The Rugby Paper Team — Sun, 05 Nov 2023 03:58:58 +0000

Former Richmond director of rugby Steve Hill, above, talks to Dorking director of rugby Armand Roux, below Armand Roux was a player at and is now director of rugby at Dorking RFC. After seven rounds of this season, heading into this weekend they were top of National 2 East with a maximum 35 points. Steve […]

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