Irish Times reporting John Muldoon's move to rejoin Lam as our forwards coach. Muldoon's playing record is outstanding, but I have no idea about his coaching credentials.
Irish Times

Quote:

Beer Matt Japan
Irish Times reporting John Muldoon's move to rejoin Lam as our forwards coach. Muldoon's playing record is outstanding, but I have no idea about his coaching credentials.
Irish Times

I don’t believe he has anything formal, but can’t speak for him doing anything informal at Connacht.
Definitely Pat’s man though. Could be good.

Quote:

Beer Matt Japan
Muldoon's playing record is outstanding, but I have no idea about his coaching credentials.

Well a highly experienced and respected coach (Bakewell) has managed to preside over an absolute car wreck of a scrum, and a a group who seem unable to even slow down an opposition's driving maul - so thankfully for Muldoon, the bar has been set pretty low!

That said, I wonder whether the scrummaging gap between Champ and Prem is as big as the gap in every other facet of the game.

On a related note, that's why i am excited about Yann Thomas signing.....i can't claim to know much about the French third tier, but I can imagine it's an all-out war at scrum-time (with no cameras or citing commissioner, presumably). I bet he has learned a hell of a lot.

I can't remember who said it and precisely when, but i recall a former player saying the scrummaging is actually the only aspect of the game where there is parity between Prem and Champ rugby. Bigger and more gnarled, experienced props I guess, who are units to shift and know all of the dark arts

Obviously missed something because I didn't realise Bakewell was going to Leicester for sure. It is always hard to know how well a coach is performing looking down from the stands and it is perhaps worth noting how many on this site (maybe not the same ones pleased he is off) thought he was great and made a huge difference when we were in the Premiership - indeed you can get an insight into the difference a coach makes if things improve when a new coach comes in (which was the case when Bakewell started with us)

A team with a great forward history and focus like Leicester want him so either they have messed up on their recruitment or it is probably more down to the players (or other factors - ideas of Pat's?) that we have been struggling upfront this season.

Did things really improve when he arrived Rich? There was a fantastic improvement in the short period that Borthwick was with us, but that soon dropped off and we have never been back there. Last year I think the forwards got shown up at times, but got off lightly as they were still miles better than the chaotic backs and defence.

Forgot to say that as a player Muldoon was fantastic, all workrate and commitment, great leader who lead by example and who made the most of what he had. One of the few older players I might have been happy to see us sign. No idea what he would be like as a coach but if we could get that level of commitment out of the players then we could see something like we got under HRH.

Muldoon was mainly a backrow player, occasional second row. Based on the last couple of season I would think we really need a scrum specialist as well.

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Graham

C'mon Bris,



Stand out in a crowd, wear the Hoops!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 31/01/2018 13:49 by Graham_U.

Interesting one this as I was, as were many of us expecting a big name coach to replace Bakes. Is he a risk or a shrewd move by Pay ?? We can but wait and see either way best of luck fella welcome to Bristol.

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Bristol, like the glass is Blue, Bristol Blue.

Why not, it has been on the cards for a while.

Quote:

Graham_U
Muldoon was mainly a backrow player, occasional second row. Based on the last couple of season I would think we really need a scrum specialist as well.

Muldoon would help us massively in developing our maul and maul defence, which has been our defensive weakness all season and is Bakes responsibility, despite many blaming JT. As for the scrum, I think Afoa has been brought in as much for his leadership and coaching input as for his playing.