Aviva Premiership
Wasps bring in ex-Ireland kicking coach Mark Tainton
ESPN Staff
April 13, 2015
Mark Tainton
Mark Tainton© Photo by Teaukura Moetaua/Getty Images
Mark Tainton
Mark Tainton© Photo by Teaukura Moetaua/Getty Images

Wasps have confirmed their coaching line-up for the 2015-16 season with Mark Tainton joining as kicking coach.

Tainton will work alongside Dai Young (director of rugby), Brad Davis (defence coach), Lee Blackett (backs coach) and Andy Titterrell (part-time assistant coach).

Tainton arrives having previously spent 10 years with Ireland alongside spells with England and London Irish. He has helped develop the kicking games of Jonathan Sexton and Ronan O'Gara and Young is delighted with the addition.

"For me, Mark is one of the game's authorities when it comes to kicking and he will play a pivotal role in developing our players' skill-sets and kicking game," Young said. "As a coaching team, I believe we now have a powerful combination of experience, in myself, Brad [Davis] and Mark [Tainton] and fresh ideas and insight from some of the best up-and-coming coaches in the game, in Lee Blackett and Andy Titterrell.

"Wasps expanded coaching team also reflects the ambition of the club to take our talented squad to the next level. We have long had one of the smallest coaching teams in the Aviva Premiership, with myself, Brad and Stephen [Jones] covering all areas, but now, thanks to the off-field success generated by the Ricoh Arena business, we are able to invest in our coaching team and support staff, as well as our players.

"This move also recognises the importance of specialists concentrating on specific aspects of the game. It will enable us to help players develop their individual games and improve the squad as collective, in order to continue our rise up the Premiership table over the coming seasons."

Tainton added: "In the role of kicking coach, it won't be about re-inventing the wheel. It's more about tweaks when working on a player's process and technique, both for goal kicking and out of hand, to make sure they are totally confident. Kicking becomes much easier when you trust your process. "I enjoyed working as a consultant with London Irish last season. They were all very receptive and I'd like to thank the coaches and wish them the very best of luck for future seasons."

© ESPN Staff

Live Sports

Communication error please reload the page.