Ford accepts Ireland post
December 31, 2001

Ireland have confirmed that rugby league coach Mike Ford has agreed to join the team headed by new coach Eddie O'Sullivan as defensive coach.

"I'm really excited about it," commented Ford. "It's all happened very quickly. It's a six-month contract and a part-time position but I'm going to treat it as a full-time position because I want it to work.

"We don't know each other so it's a trial basis in a way but I'm going to back myself."

Ford, 36, the former Wigan and Great Britain scrum-half, chose to quit his at Oldham RL Club and is the latest move in a continuing trend of top union sides utilising the coaching expertise used in the 13-man-code.

England led the way Phil Larder, a former Great Britain RL coach, as defensive specialist three years ago and Scotland and Wales followed suit with the appointment of former league player Alan Tait and ex-rugby league national coach Clive Griffiths respectively. France have also acquired the services of amateur rugby league player Dave Ellis.

O'Sullivan added, "Mike Ford brings another critical layer of specialist coaching talent to the Irish management structure. He has the reputation of being one of the brightest, innovative young coaches in Britain.

"I am delighted to have secured his services in the newly-created position as defensive co-ordinator," added the Irish coach.

Ford will join the new Irish management team of O'Sullivan, manager Brian O'Brien, assistant coach Declan Kidney and forwards coach Niall O'Donovan at a week-long squad session in Limerick from 13-18 January.

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