Exiles’ demise leaves Maggs bitter

OUTGOING Birmingham Moseley rugby director Kevin Maggs admits London Welsh’s demise has intensified his frustration over losing his job.

Former Ireland centre Maggs will leave Billesley Common after seven years this May – a victim of costcutting in the wake of last season’s relegation from the Championship that cost the club £530,000 in RFU funding.

Maggs feels London Welsh’s £1.7m black hole should have been identified and acted upon much sooner, in which case Moseley could have survived the drop and progressed plans to enhance their rugby programme by going full-time.

Maggs told The Rugby Paper: “We lived within our means, came last and were relegated, but who’s to say what would have happened if the RFU had investigated London Welsh’s financial affairs last season and taken some action then?

“Welsh were operating with a full-time squad they couldn’t afford, so we end up being relegated at a time when we were within touching distance of being able to go full-time. Instead, we’ve paid the price and I’m devastated to be leaving.”

Maggs added: “Moseley has a massive potential but we just haven’t got the money to compete without going heavily into debt, which with our history our club won’t do. I understand that but it’s so frustrating not to be able to kick-on.”

Maggs, 42, who played for Bath and Bristol and partnered Brian O’Driscoll in the majority of his 70 Tests, is now looking for offers.

He said: “I’d like to have seen what I could do with a full-time rugby programme but, hopefully, somebody will see the job I’ve done at Moseley and feel I can contribute to their club.

“I’ve got a lot of passion for the game and learnt a massive amount in seven years here doing everything from coaching to analysis and managing budgets to developing an academy. I’ve learnt from lots of coaches – good and bad – and played with world-class players.

“I’m proud of the job I’ve done at Moseley and it’s all about getting the right opportunity now.”