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
England can find a little bit of cheer
SO HERE we are on the final day of England’s autumn international series with all of us hoping and expecting Steve Borthwick’s team to win today after three weeks of bitter disappointment.
Stop messing with Marcus - Campese
DAVID Campese believes England are going backwards under Steve Borthwick, who is ‘messing around’ with talisman Marcus Smith.
Being a Lion was the highlight of my career
I PLAYED 19 games and scored 219 points for the Lions, on the tours to South Africa in 1968 and New Zealand in 1971, but I never played in a Test and that was fair enough.
Cook's crew not fazed as they eye tilt at top half
THERE appear to be few signs of second season syndrome at Westcombe Park as captain Nick Cook reveals the group aren’t even contemplating the threat of relegation and are instead targeting a top-half finish.
Forwards pack a punch for the Reds
OLD Redcliffians produced a proud defensive effort to take a bonus-point win.
Tom 'Ailes' the achievements of inspirational skipper Riley
SEDGLEY Park No. 8 Tom Ailes says his team relish the competitive nature of National One and is confident the Tigers can rectify their rocky start to the season in weeks to come.
Strachan confident Ampthill will be firing again soon
FRASER Strachan is determined to put Ampthill’s leaky defensive showings behind them and gain some much needed confidence in the run up to Christmas.
It's a whole new ball game for Rigg
WILL Rigg’s ambition was to become a professional cricketer but it is the oval ball rather than The Oval that is his driver now.
Scarratt leads the way for Lightning
LOUGHBOROUGH won a wet and windy East Midlands Derby after having the bonus point in the bag by half-time.
Becconsall: We need to release pressure
WILL Becconsall says Exeter are not spooked by the threat of relegation as they look to turn around their Premiership campaign after starting with six straight defeats.
