Around 30 players stepped up into the Premiership, several becoming internationals, during his hugely successful 10-year tenure at Jersey Reds and the 46-year-old takes immense satisfaction at seeing some of his former proteges flourish.
To name just six, Kieran Hardy, Will Rowlands and Callum Sheedy (Wales), Nick Haining and Gary Graham (Scotland) and Harry Williams (England) have all credited their time on the island as being pivotal to their success in reaching the top.
As such, there must be an underlining sense of frustration that at a time when his coaching stock couldn’t be much higher – following back-to-back league titles with two different clubs – the former Natal Sharks and Wasps No.9 is still waiting for his phone to ring with an offer that matches his standing after nearly two decades of coaching in the English game.
Biljon led the Reds to the 2022-23 Championship title but was denied the chance to take them any further when their journey came to an abrupt end and the administrators were called in 10 days after they had beaten Bath at The Rec. Biljon questioned whether it was all worthwhile but salvation came in the form of a call in November, from Rotherham’s charismatic chairman, Nick Cragg.
“Did I lose my appetite for rugby? There was a couple of moments where I didn’t know,” he admitted. “I wasn’t sure if I had the energy because it’s 24-7, you put everything into it, and I wasn’t sure what was going to happen next. I’d like to thank everyone at the club for taking me on board.”
Denne historien er fra May 05, 2024-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
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Denne historien er fra May 05, 2024-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
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England show who's No.1
ENGLAND women’s head coach John Mitchell says his side will take valuable lessons from the 24-12 win over world champions New Zealand as they build towards their WXV1 title defence.
Skivington: We're going to roll dice and go for it
THE Cherry and Whites are the enigmas of the Premiership.
Looking to go one step beyond this time around
NE small step is what it will take for Bath to go one better than last season and secure the Premiership for the first time, but it would be one of the biggest taken by the club in the professional era.
Four-try England make it 17 wins on the spin
ENGLAND women opened the Allianz Stadium era at HQ with a victory over New Zealand to make it 17 wins on the bounce before their WXV title defence.
Time for Borthwick to prove his worth
HONEYMOON periods are not set in stone and in my estimation Steve Borthwick’s ends this summer. Don’t get me wrong, he’s still in good shape.
Barrington ready to power up the Mob
RICHARD Barrington has signed up to the Ampthill “Mob” reassured that he’ll still have a target on his back most weeks.
Skivington keen to build identity
GLOUCESTER won their first trophy for nine years last season and reached the Challenge Cup final, but when George Skivington went on holiday the day after the campaign ended the words in his head were never again.
Roebuck targets England success
WINNING a maiden England Test cap to top the best season of his career will not be enough for Sale winger Tom Roebuck.
Booth: Tough telling players I was leaving
TOBY Booth admits telling his Ospreys players that he would be leaving at the end of the season was one of the hardest things he has had to do in his career.
Stephens' debut try sees off old rivals
DORKING had to dig deep in another tight game between two old rivals, with the lead changing hands twice and result in doubt right up to the final whistle.