BROWN’S JOY OVER RETURN TO WARRIORS
KELLY BROWN has returned to Glasgow Warriors as assistant coach – a decade after quitting the club.
The 38-year-old joins Danny Wilson’s new-look coaching team for 2020/21.
The former back-rower signed for Saracens in 2010 and worked with the club’s academy after hanging up his boots in 2017.
Brown, capped 64 times for Scotland, will focus on the contact area at Glasgow.
He said: “When Danny called, the role ticked so many boxes.
“It’s a club I have a lot of love for, so I was delighted to accept the offer.
“I’ve had a fantastic 10 years at Saracens, and I’ve learnt so much on and off the pitch. The chance to take up a senior role like this with Glasgow was too good to turn down.
“You take a lot of lessons from your playing career into coaching.
“I’ve been fortunate enough to have some unbelievable coaches over the years, so you take as many lessons as you can and try to influence your own coaching style.
“There’s a good mix of senior players and younger guys. Seeing where we can
BY RoDDy DUncan take those younger players and take the club to is something I’m really looking forward to.
“I’ve coached a number of the boys with Scotland, so I know there are some really talented players in the mix.
“I know what makes a successful environment from my time at Saracens, and I’m excited to see where we can go as a club.”
Head coach Wilson added: “We’re delighted to welcome a coach of Kelly’s quality as we continue to build towards our return to rugby.
“He’s packed a lot into the three years since he hung up his boots, which shows just how highly regarded he is as a coach.
“He was excellent when I had the chance to work with him as part of the Scotland set-up, and I know he’ll bring a lot to the table.”
It has also been confirmed that tighthead prop and assistant coach Petrus Du Plessis has left Warriors.
John Dalziel is set to depart to become forwards coach in the Scotland set-up after August’s games against Edinburgh.
RONNIE O’SULLIVAN romped into the second round of the World Championship with the fastest victory recorded at the Crucible.
The record-breaking Rocket needed just 108 minutes to hammer Thai qualifier Thepchaiya Un-Nooh 10-1 in Sheffield.
And in winning the five-time world champion smashed the previous quickest match by 41 minutes, set last year by Shaun Murphy in his 10-0 whitewash of China’s Luo Honghao.
But despite rewriting another chapter of snooker history, a downbeat O’Sullivan said: “I’m not really bothered by records, they don’t really give you that buzz any more.
“It’s nice when you’re chasing records but once you get them you think, ‘well, that was overrated in many ways’.
“I just try to enjoy the game and I’m enjoying my snooker.
“Thepchaiya made me look good. I just tidied up a few of his mistakes.”
O’Sullivan resumed with a commanding 8-1 overnight lead thanks to breaks of 101, 85, 115,
BY neil goUlDing 74, 88, 76 and 67. And it wasn’t long before the 36-time ranking event winner finished the job as a 93-break helped him win the two frames he needed for victory in extra quick time.
He outscored his opponent 989-188 – with a breathtaking average shot time of just 14 seconds.
O’Sullivan, who had been critical of the possibility of having spectators at the venue amid the coronavirus crisis said: “Thepchaiya missed quite a few balls he wouldn’t normally miss, it just shows you don’t have to have a crowd here at the Crucible for it to still get to you in some way. It must be something to do with the venue but I actually prefer it quiet.
“It was a much different atmosphere. It’s still the Crucible and a fantastic venue to play in but it’s so different. It’s weird. To see it so empty is unbelievable.
“But it is what it is and at least people can watch on the TV, it’s good some sport is on the TV.
“Nothing could have been as bad as Milton Keynes [the Tour Championship], that was my worst nightmare. You couldn’t leave the hotel. But this is great.
“It’s pretty nice now, this is how the UK should be. A little bit more quiet and a little bit more slower-paced. The vibe feels really good around the UK.
“It’s usually pretty hard for me to get any peace and quiet but you don’t have to deal the pressure of the crowd and the expectation.
“So much less is put on my shoulders, so in a way I feel as though I’m on a bit of a holiday. It’s a holiday buzz.
“I’m very private, that’s how I live my life. I don’t socialise much, so it’s kind of slowed down and suits my way of life. Welcome to my world!
“I didn’t have expectations other than wanting to win my first match. I’m pleased to be through.”
Next up for the Rocket is a showdown with Ding Junhui on Friday as he continues his quest for a sixth world title and the £500,000 first prize.
O’Sullivan has plenty of respect for Ding, especially with the pressure the Chinese star has with an army of supporters.
He added: “Form is temporary and class is permanent – and Ding will always be a class player. It’s probably one of the hardest matches I could have got in this year’s World Championship.
“If we both turn it up it will be a great game. It will be good for the fans to watch.”