Deacon is Bull-ish over future with pals at the Sharks
PAUL Deacon could never have imagined that one day he would be head coach of a leading Premiership rugby union outfit alongside old Bradford Bulls team-mates Mike Forshaw and Jamie Langley.
And yet that is exactly the scenario which has unfolded at Sale Sharks after Langley recently joined Deacon and Forshaw on the coaching staff of Alex Sanderson’s title hopefuls.
Langley quit London Broncos to join Sale but Forshaw has been there since 2013 as defence coach and Deacon left Wigan Warriors to cross codes in July 2015 as a skills and attack coach.
“I don’t regret the move at all and I’m really loving it right now,” Deacon told M.E.N. Sport.
“I’ve learnt so much during the past six years and am still learning now, especially with Alex Sanderson coming in during the past year.
“He pushes us to keep learning and to keep growing. We’re building something here at Sale, which is really exciting and great to be a part of.”
Rugby union, of course, has a long history of taking talent from league – be it players or coaches – and Deacon was delighted to see Langley join the Sale ranks in a newly-created role as peak performance coach.
Alongside Langley and Forshaw, Deacon helped the allconquering Bradford Bulls side to a glorious treble in 2003 at a time when they reached five successive Grand Finals, winning three of them.
“It’s pretty amazing really that Forsh, Langers and I have ended up working together here at Sale,” Deacon adds with a huge smile. “Forsh picked me up on my first day at Bradford in November 1997.
“I was 18. To start coaching with him here at Sale six years ago was a bit of a freak thing in itself.
“For Langers to then come on board after getting to know Al through his CPD (Continuing Professional Development) at Saracens was another twist of fate. Al was looking for this new role from a sports club point of view. He mentioned his name to me and I said ‘oh yes, I know Langers, he’s a great bloke.’ “He’s slotted in really well and is now a key part of the team, which is great.”
After a successful end to his playing career at Wigan, Deacon served as the club’s assistant coach and filled the same role with England too under Steve McNamara.
There was talk he had been lined up as Shaun Wane’s longterm successor at the Warriors. But then, in the summer of 2015,
Sale and Steve Diamond came calling.
Deacon said: “I was just loving it at Wigan and Waney treated me brilliantly, so I have really fond memories of my time coaching there.
“He gave me the opportunity and I was an assistant coach there – and ended up as assistant to Steve Mac with England.
“I was laughing really and pinching myself that I was in that situation. The fact I was on the international scene maybe alerted me to Steve Diamond.
“I got a call from Steve, weighed up the pros and cons, and had to make a decision quick so I decided to try something new.”
Last year Diamond left the club and was replaced as director of rugby by former Saracens coach Sanderson, who served Sale as a player.
Deacon had an interim spell in charge following Diamond’s departure and his current role as head coach suits him down to the ground. He is working with world-class players such as Faf de Klerk and Manu Tuilagi and next season Leicester fly-half George Ford will join the Sharks.
Sale have ambitious, wealthy owners and Deacon adds: “I just want to learn and, hopefully, be a part of something special here at Sale.
“If things go to plan for the club, I think I’ll be enjoying myself in the years to come.
“I’ve been promoted to head coach and I’m happy here. I’m learning every day and I’m working with world-class players. I’m very excited to work with George next season.”
Oldham-born Ford could have signed for Bradford or Wigan as a teenager, but chose Leicester and the 15-a-side code instead and has not looked back. Deacon recalled: “I first met George when he was 15 and he came to train at Bradford for the week.
“You could just tell the talent he had but, of course, he chose to sign for Leicester and has enjoyed a fantastic career.
“To bring George to Sale is fantastic for us as players, staff and supporters.
“I’m looking forward to working with him and learning from him.
“We want to win things here, but it takes time. Alex has been here for less than 12 months and is building his own culture.
“But it feels like he’s been here for years and the club is definitely moving in the right direction.”