Dempsey to leave Bath in summer

GIRVAN Dempsey will leave his position as Bath Rugby attack and backs coach when his contract expires at the end of the season.

He will be replaced by former Bath coach David Williams, who has gained experience working in Super Rugby, the Pro14 and the Japanese Top League in the eight years since leaving the West.

Ex-full-back Dempsey, below, joined the Blue, Black & Whites in 2018, having been a key part of the success at Leinster, including winning the Champions Cup.

While he has failed to help bring similar success to Bath, the 82-cap ex-Ireland international has been credited playing an integral role in developing young players, getting the best out of the club’s former sevens stars Ruaridh McConnochie and Will Muir, as well as Tom de Glanville and Cameron Redpath, who have all established themselves as key first-team players.

Bath director of rugby Stuart Hooper said: “Girvan is an outstanding person. I want to thank him for everything he has given to the club in his three seasons.

“He, like all of us, is judged on the 80 (minutes of first-team games), but it is his attention to detail in the 10,000 minutes (of training) that is a true reflection of his character. Girvan will be missed by everyone and we all wish him the success he deserves in his next venture.”

Dempsey himself added: “Bath

is a very special place and I’ve really enjoyed my time here.

“I’d like to thank Stuart, and all the players and staff for the warm welcome they afforded me and my family.

“I also want to thank all our brilliant supporters, who we have sadly missed down at the Rec.

“I leave having forged many great friendships and with a lot of happy memories. I’m looking forward to a new chapter and I wish everyone at Bath Rugby every success for the future.”

Williams, who was academy coach at Bath from 2012-2014, joins after two-and-a-half-years as attack coach with Super Rugby side Sharks in South Africa.

Explaining the appointment, boss Hooper said: “We want to accelerate the growth of our attacking game.

“We need to make a shift in terms of being clinical in attack, developing our play with ball in hand, playing into space and really challenging the opposition.

“It is an exciting shift and one that David will add too.

“I am incredibly pleased to be able to welcome David, who we believe will contribute enormously to our environment and to the evolution of our game.

“David is well regarded in his field for his coaching ability and his work with the Sharks’ attack is clear to see.”

Williams added: “Having strong family links to the South West of England and having previously been part of Bath Rugby, it feels incredibly special to return to the club, especially after an exciting eight-year rugby journey.

“The club’s vision of signing world-class talent aligned with it’s strong commitment to developing players and coaches from within the region makes this opportunity an exciting prospect indeed and it’s a vision I hope to play a role in continuing to grow.”