WHEN news came through that Ken Owens had pulled out of Wales’ World Cup squad due to a back injury, Scott Baldwin could have been forgiven for thinking ‘what if ?’ But Baldwin, a Test-quality hooker less than four months ago, is 100 per cent happy with his decision to retire from playing and become Newcastle’s defence coach.
Baldwin, who turns 35 in a fortnight’s time, is one week into his new job and whilst admitting he is still finding his feet, the Welshman is excited about the challenge that lays ahead as part of Alex Codling’s coaching team.
“I know how fortunate I am to have the opportunity I have to be working with the coach I am in the Premiership which is an unbelievable league,” Baldwin told The Rugby Paper. “It is ruthless but it is brilliant, this is where I want to cut my teeth. I always said I want to coach in the Premiership and that is nothing against the URC but I feel like the Premiership is where you can become a great coach.”
Baldwin knows what a great coach looks likes and sounds like having worked with some of the best, including Warren Gatland and Shaun Edwards with Wales and the like of Steve Tandy, Nick Evans and Toby Booth in club rugby.
“Working with Nick at Harlequins really opened my eyes to how many ways there are to skin a cat but also how simple the game is,” he said. “I think back to someone like Shaun and how simple he made it for you. When you are in a game and fatigued you don’t have time to think of X, Y and Z. That really resonated with me.”
Bu hikaye The Rugby Paper dergisinin July 02, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye The Rugby Paper dergisinin July 02, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Unbeaten Lymm put the Tykes on a leash
LYMM maintained their unbeaten start to the campaign, taking the major scalp of Leeds Tykes and ending the visitors' unblemished start.
Dramatic late win boosts leaders
A LAST-minute converted try saw Tonbridge Juddians snatch victory from the jaws of defeat at Barnes.
England need to be more consistent
I WAS at last week's game against the All Blacks and as much as I enjoyed my first visit to the stadium since the Six Nations, I couldn't help noticing a different attitude of those in control of the stadium's notification system which puts out messages to the crowd.
Cuthbert: Wales have to deliver
ALEX Cuthbert says the pressure on Wales is huge ahead of their opening Autumn Nations Series game against Fiji today.
Anyanwu heads the list of star attractions
TOP 14 transfer speculation is always thoroughly entertaining, and this season has so far been no exception.
Goldthorp can challenge Kildunne for No.15 spot
LOUGHBOROUGH Lightning head coach Nathan Smith is backing Fran Goldthorp to compete with Ellie Kildunne, right, for England's No.15 jersey.
Four-try David calls the shots for Bears
MILLIE David helped Bristol blow Leicester away after scoring four of their 10 tries at Welford Road.
Scott-Young keen to follow his father
TYPICAL of most Australians, Scott-Young Angus has fairly sunny disposition and the loose forward is confident that Saints can soon start to turn things around on the road.
When value for money is not part of the deal
ENGLAND'S bench strategy against New Zealand - goodbye \"bomb squad\", hello \"squib squad\"-has been investigated, psychoanalysed, convicted on all charges and mercilessly sentenced by the entire rugby world and its maiden aunt, so there is no earthly point in returning to the scene of the crime.
'I want to prove my worth to Bath'
OUT-OF-FAVOUR winger RuBath aridh McConnochie is hoping to use the Premiership Cup to lay down a challenge to Johann van Graan and make his selection claims impossible to ignore.
