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Bath Rugby have successfully poached Leinster's attack coach

Leinster lift the 2018 Champions Cup in Bilbao

Bath Rugby have confirmed that boost to its coaching structure with the appointment of Girvan Dempsey from Leinster.

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Dempsey joins as Attack Coach and will head to the West Country ahead of the 2018/19 season.

The former Irish international has played a key role in Leo Cullen’s coaching team at Leinster for the past three years as Attack Coach. During his tenure the 42-year-old has worked alongside the likes of Stuart Lancaster, Joe Schmidt and Michael Cheika.

In his current role, Dempsey has been influential in driving the formidable attack, which saw Leinster crowned European Champions with a victory over Racing 92 this weekend. Prior to that Dempsey spent two seasons as Elite Player Development Officer for the province, and a further three years as Academy Manager learning his craft and developing playing talent in the province.

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Dempsey brings a tremendous amount of experience to Bath, not only from his coaching career but also his playing career that saw him capped 82 times by Ireland, which included him playing in three Triple Crown winning teams. He has also enjoyed both Heineken Cup and Celtic League success as a player with Leinster.

Girvan’s appointment is part of Bath Rugby’s long-term plan for developing the right support structures to deliver successful and consistent performances in both domestic and European rugby.

Girvan will join Todd Blackadder’s current coaching set up at Bath Rugby, which includes Stuart Hooper, Toby Booth and Darren Edwards.

Todd Blackadder said: “This season we’ve learnt a lot about ourselves. We need to be more flexible in our game so that we can better tailor our attack to different opposition.

“Girvan is a fantastic addition to our team and I believe together we can go on to great things, not only next season but for years to come.”

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Commenting on his appointment, Girvan Dempsey said: “I’m really looking forward to starting a new chapter in my coaching career. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time with Leinster, but I’m excited about what lies ahead with Bath.

“They have a world-class setup and playing squad. I will be looking to bring my experiences and knowledge to support Todd and the coaching team in delivering success to this great Club.”

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Chief Executive, Tarquin McDonald added: “Girvan has been integral to the success of Leinster over the last few years, and we’re delighted to bring someone of his calibre to the Club. He is a scholar of the game, he has fantastic attacking pedigree, and he has excellent skills as a coaching practitioner. He will contribute enormously to the balance of our coaching team and to the development of our game for 2018/19.”

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DarstedlyDan 52 minutes ago
New Zealanders may not understand, but in France Test rugby is the 'B movie'

Italy have a top 14 issue too, that’s true. I doubt SA are overly pleased by that, although it’s countered somewhat by the fact they would expect to thrash them anyway, so perhaps are not that bothered.


The BIL teams are (aside from Ireland) A/B teams - still with many A team players. I would rather the England team touring Argentina be playing the ABs than this French one.


France could have reduced the complaints and the grounds for such if they had still picked the best team from those eligible/available. But they haven’t even done that. This, plus the playing of silly b@ggers with team selection over the three tests is just a big middle finger to the ABs and the NZ rugby public.


One of the key reasons this is an issue is the revenue sharing one. Home teams keep the ticket revenues. If the July tours are devalued to development larks then the crowds will not show up (why go watch teams featuring names you’ve never heard of?). This costs the SH unions. The NH unions on the other hand get the advantage of bums on seats from full strength SH teams touring in November. If the NH doesn’t want to play ball by touring full strength, then pay up and share gate receipts. That would be fair, and would reduce the grounds for complaint from the south. This has been suggested, but the NH unions want their cake and eat it too. And now, apparently, we are not even allowed to complain about it?


Finally - no one is expecting France to do things the way NZ or SA do. We oddly don’t really mind that it probably makes them less successful at RWC than they would otherwise have been. But a bit of willingness to find a solution other than “lump it, we’re French” would go a looonnng way.

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