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Phil Greening leaves USA Rugby after "rollercoaster 10 years"

Phil Greening is leaving his role with USA Rugby, having recently coached the Men's Eagles Sevens team at the Paris 2024 Olympics (Photo by Steve Bardens - World Rugby via Getty Images/World Rugby via Getty Images)

Former England hooker Phil Greening is the latest coach to leave his long-held position at USA Rugby, joining men’s sevens head coach Mike Friday in seeking a fresh start elsewhere.

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Greening was assistant to Friday at the Paris 2024 Olympics and held a variety of roles with USA Rugby in sevens and 15s, but he has decided that now is the time to end his decade-long association with the national union.

In a post on LinkedIn titled ‘Thank You America, it’s been one hell of a ride’, 48-year-old Greening wrote: “With a heavy yet proud heart, I’m announcing that after 10 years of working with USA Rugby and USOC (US Olympic Committee) I am perusing (sic) other opportunities and experiences.

“I’ve been fortunate to have coached at 3 Olympics, 2 Pan Am Games, 2 RWC7s and an ARC.

“Through the 10 years it has been a real rollercoaster ride, however the experience, the learnings, the friendships and the progress we made for rugby in the USA I am very proud and grateful for.

“Over the decade it has been a pleasure to have been involved in all the programs and some of the highlights have been with the men’s XVs winning the first ARC, the women 7s wining bronze in Paris, the men’s 7s being consistently competitive at the highest level and recognized as a top tier team, and the development of numerous players and coaches across America. Helping shape the programs from the ground up has been something I will forever be proud of.

“I’m proud of how committed and loyal I was to to stay for the ride, so that I can help build something special in the US and leave the programs in a better place, with methods and a foundations for those to come next to build upon and continue the success for years to come.

“Even though my commitment and loyalty through the tough times of the union’s bankruptcy, Covid, the drain of having to wear so many hats, help with resources, and family sacrifice has cost me personally over the years and ultimately my family, this journey and sticking to my principles and standards is one that I am proud of.

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“On reflection, this journey has given me so many personal lessons, it’s driven me to a deeper personal development and importantly it has ignited my love for coaching, developing people and teams. It’s also shaped who I am today and confirmed my principles which I am grateful for.

“I am very grateful for the people who have walked with me on this journey over this incredible decade and the friendships I continue to enjoy and I will always cherish.”

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RedWarriors 1 hour ago
'Ulster, though no one wants to admit it, isn't much more than a development province right now.'

I actually think Ulster are showing a few green shoots this year. The fact that they ahve the second biggest Provincial population of 2.3 million is misleading. Half the population are unlikely to play due to background. The other half have seen a fall off in private school attendance preferring to school in GB esp Scotland and lost to the system. That will reverse in time.

The solution to the thorny issue of participation based on political background can be solved by breaking Rugby as a truly mainstream sport in the rest of Ireland and thus a sport for all no matter what background.

The QF defeat to NZ in 2023 was a devastating blow to that potential but the IRFU must truly put a lot of resources into this via coaching in ‘regular’ schools and pathways though AIL league etc.

The URC standings of Irish provinces needs a little mitigation. Each club in URC plays their home clubs twice. As Leinster have decided the best strategy to win the URC and challenge in Champions Cup is to decisively have the league phase in the bag so resources can be spared later and home matches in all KOs assured. That means Munster, Ulster and Connaught will score a combined total of zero points against Leinster. Compare that to Welsh teams who will score a combined total of 30 points against Dragons.

There is no weak Irish team so no easy points on offer. The standard has dipped a little but Connaught are good as their European campaign shows and all three will improve next year including Ulster.

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