Teague back as skills coach

THE name Teague is back at Kingsholm after the Gloucester appointed Rory Teague returned to the club as their new skills coach.

Gloucester-born Teague, 34, began his playing career at Kingsholm before moving down the M5 to join Bristol before a spell with Lydney.

He subsequently spent several years playing in France with Limoges, Tarbes, Aurillac and Grenoble before moving into coaching at 26 as he took a role at Harrow School.

A member of the Teague dynasty, his grandfather Colin played for the club as, most famously, did his second cousin, Gloucester, England and British Lions legend Mike.

Teague has built an impressive coaching resume, spending time with Saracens and Wasps before moving into the international arena with a successful spell as backs and attacks coach with England Under-20s, a period that included the team winning the Junior World Championship in 2016.

Teague worked with the senior England team as skills coach until he returned to France to join Bordeauxbegles.

Initially undertaking the role of backs coach, he became the youngest head coach of a European top-flight club when he moved into that role in January 2018, but left the club last November.

Director of rugby David Humphreys told the club website: “In a relatively short space of time, Rory has gained a wealth of knowledge and experience coaching at a number of different levels.

“Working at age group and full international level with England, as well as with English and French clubs, Rory has developed a coaching philosophy that we fit well into our current set-up..”

Teague told the club website: “I’m delighted to be joining Gloucester. Most people will be aware of the family connection with the club and it’s exciting to be coming home and working with my hometown club.

“I’ve watched the progress that the club has made over the past couple of seasons, and have been very impressed with how things have moved on under Johan Ackermann.

“When I spoke to Johan and David Humphreys about their ambitions, I quickly decided that it was something that I very much wanted to be part of.

“It’s a talented squad, it’s a strong coaching set-up and I’m looking forward to sharing the experience I’ve built up over the past few years.

“It’s incredibly exciting and I can’t wait to get started.”