Phil Larder has spoken of his joy in helping reinforce Worcester’s Premiership campaign – and now he is passing on his knowledge to the next generation of local coaches.
The former England defensive coach has been working at Sixways since mid-November and has helped Warriors develop defensive steel.
Warriors have conceded only two tries in the last four top-flight games with the help of Larder’s input.
The tough Lancastrian has applied his experience of League defensive patterns and techniques to the unique challenges of union with unparalleled success. He helped England to the 2003 Rugby World Cup and RBSÂ Six Nations Grand Slam in 2003.
The 61-year-old’s pedigree is vast – but he admits working with Warriors has been an equally rewarding experience.
“It’s been good fun and I’m thoroughly enjoying being involved,” said Larder, who also worked with Leicester Tigers during their four-year Premiership winning run, as well as helping them to back-to-back Heineken Cup victories in 2001 and 2002.
“The first meeting I had with the players I said I could help them save 50 per cent of the tries they were conceding by improving their organisation. The other 50 per cent they had to do by working on technique.
“They are a really enthusiastic bunch of players. They have a great leader in Pat Sanderson who does a superb job in the dressing room and out on the field. Dale Rasmussen is also a big player as my defence captain, he does a tremendous job.
“The defence has improved a lot, there is still some work we can do but the concentration and enthusiasm is encouraging. They are working hard and understanding it. We have cut the tries conceded by half and we can survive.
Larder has made a big impact on the field for Warriors and is now also passing on his skills off the field as part of the Warriors’ Supporter’s Club Development Fund.
The generosity of those who have kindly donated and supported the fund has enabled the Warriors to provide invited local coaches with the opportunity of learning from the very best.
And Larder kicked off the coaching master classes on Monday (February 19) when he gave a packed audience of over 100 local coaches a presentation on tackling ability and building a defence.
Matt Sherratt, Warriors’ Rugby Development Officer, said: “This exciting project enables Worcester Warriors to become a centre of coaching excellence and provide local coaches with the opportunity to pass this expert knowledge on to future generations of Worcestershire rugby players”
“We’re delighted that a coach of Phil’s standing in the game was able to launch the coaching master classes.”
Each of our partner clubs will be given an allocated number of invites and coaches who attend will receive session plans and a DVD for future use.
Future sessions will involve Sean Holley, Ospreys backs coach, who will give a session on attack, and Andrew Stanley, Warriors Academy Manager, who will deliver a session on the contact area.