College rugby set for lift off predicts Morris
UNIVERSITIES and colleges will have a greater say in the development of Premiership players in future, according to outgoing Loughborough Students rugby director Dave Morris.
Morris will quit National One Loughborough later this month to become head coach at London Scottish, having overseen the development of 67 players who have moved into professional rugby during his 11-year reign in the East Midlands.
Loughborough alumni making it big include Exeter’s Premiership-winning pair Harry Williams and Will Chudley, plus Team GB and England 7s star Phil Burgess also came through the fabled ranks.
Morris believes Premiership clubs are increasingly recognising what universities like his can offer. He said: “The University game, with the partnerships they’re forming with Premiership clubs, means there is definitely more of a role for them to play.
“The new BUCS Super Rugby competition has been fantastic and the top of the university game is now of a very high standard.
“Ourselves and Hartpury are quite unique because we’ve played National One as well, but the top BUCS teams competing are the equivalent standard of English rugby’s third tier and getting better all the time.
“Something we’ve always prided ourselves on at Loughborough is guys are getting a degree as well as a rugby education and you’ve seen a bit of a shift there in how professional clubs are taking that responsibility, which will lead to more partnerships.”
Morris is proud of how Loughborough have launched coaching careers too, adding: “Scott Bemand and George Chuter have done well for Loughborough and it’s sometimes hard for guys who’ve known nothing other than professional rugby.
“At Premiership level you’re pretty well paid and then suddenly that stops and you come out of that routine where your life is very ordered and structured.
“You’re trying to find your way in a hugely competitive coaching market, so it’s fantastic to give people like Scott and George a chance to employ their tactical and technical experience in a place where they can make mistakes and learn.”
At 43, Morris might have commanded a job for life at Loughborough. Instead, he has opted to dive into the Championship and kickstart a Scottish revival.
He explained: “Loughborough’s a special place where the whole DNA is about sport. It was a big decision to leave but joining Scottish is going to provide some new experiences for me.
“The safe option would have been staying at Loughborough, but I’m ambitious and didn’t want to have any ‘what ifs’. I’m not setting any outcome goals, we just want to create a club that’s hugely enjoyable for people to be at.”