Irish Rugby
Ireland draft in Plumtree as forwards coach
ESPN Staff
July 31, 2013
John Plumtree will take charge of Ireland's forwards © Getty Images
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Ireland boss Joe Schmidt has bolstered his coaching set-up with the appointment of John Plumtree as the national team's new forwards coach.

Plumtree was the Sharks head coach since 2008 and helped guide them to the Currie Cup in 2008 and 2010. But with Brendan Venter taking up the chief post at the Durban franchise, Plumtree left the Sharks and Ireland have acted quickly to snap him up.

The New Zealander will work under Schmidt and alongside Les Kiss and he knows the northern hemisphere game well having coached Swansea RFC to the Welsh League in 1998. He has also spent time with the Wellington Lions prior to his appointment to the Sharks.

"I am really looking forward to becoming part of the Irish coaching set-up," Plumtree, who won South African coach of the year in 2012, said. "Having watched a number of recent Test matches there are some really positive challenges in front of us. I'm conscious of the responsibility we have and will be working hard to play my part in driving the team forward."

Schmidt added: "It's great to have John joining us as part of the Irish coaching team. His proven success and broad experience across a number of competitions along with his ability to provide quality direction will add real value to the team."

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