Six NationsCoach DevelopmentConference 2012

Saint-Cyprien Golf ResortPerpignan, France16-20 May 2012

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“A lot of discussion with othercoaches from different cultureswas hugely beneficial.”

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Contents

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Introduction 4

Aims of Sub-committee and Conference 5

Conference Alumni 6

Conference Content 7

Review and Reflections 17

Outline Programme 18

Delegates 19

Tutors, Staff and Interpreters 21

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“Very relevant and practical. Able to be applied at different levels.”

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Introduction

The 2012 Coach Development Conference was held at St Cyprien near Perpignan in South West France.

The conference looked at the preparation and experiences of some ofsenior coaches at the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand, with the highlightbeing 2 sessions from Sir Graham Henry. The groups then used some oftheir learning to analyse the Heineken Cup Final between Leinster andUlster.

The sessions were lively and well organised and managed by the 5 tutors,Steve Aboud, Francesco Ascione, Philippe Boher, Kevin Bowring and AllanLewis. The sessions were very good and groups worked extremely welltogether.

This year the senior women’s coaches from each of the 6 Nations wereinvited to attend. This sharing of experience will hopefully start to raisestandard in the women’s matches. For the second year we had guests fromFIRA with coaches attending from Georgia, Belgium and Romania and alsoa short visit from Jean Claude Baque, FIRA-AER President.

The Six Nations Council strongly support the Coaching DevelopmentConference in order to continue to develop the game across the Six Nationsat the top level. It is one of the few opportunities that top coaches have towork together across team and country boundaries away from the tensionsof the post-match situation where it is rarely conducive to have meaningfuldiscussions on rugby strategy and tactics.

It has been a privilege to chair the Coach Development Conference over thelast 4 years. I know it has stimulated the thinking of our top coaches so thatthey continue to develop our game.

Jock MillicanSix Nations Council

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Aims of the Sub-CommitteeThe aims of the Six Nations Coach Development Sub-Committee are:

• To provide a cross cultural sharing of coaching ideas and raise the coaching bar.

• To challenge the high performance coaches in the Six Nations to think across borders

and cultures

• To provide a vehicle for the interchange of technical expertise between Six Nations

member Unions and encouragement of this outside of the competitive parameters

• To provide a forum for research and the future development of the game within the Six

Nations membership group

• To encourage greater understanding and cooperation between High Performance

Coaches/Potential High Performance Coaches within the member countries and the

responsibility they have for the delivery of the game on the field.

• To improve communication and integration of appropriate personnel who are very

much “hands on” in working with the players.

Aims of the ConferenceThe aims of the 2012 Coaching Conference were:

• To provide coaches with learning from a shared experience and discussions that

encourage coaches to be more creative

• To set a topical theme (‘Coaching Lessons – Past (2011 RWC), Present (2012 Six

Nations), and Future’ )

• To provide a venue which allows a stimulating and friendly working environment

• To obtain feedback as to whether to format is worthwhile

Aims

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This was the Seventh annual conference and, arguably, the most successful in terms of the qualityof the presenters and content and the feedback received from the delegates.

The original format, devised back in 2006, with 6 delegates from each of the six Unions split intogroups of 6 comprising one from each country (plus, more recently, invitees from FIRA countries),has been key, breaking down any barriers quickly to enable a full exchange of ideas andexperiences. Here as well, the skill and knowledge of the team of interpreters has been a vital partof the communication process.

Soon after the 2012 Conference finished, Richard Hill, Worcester’ s Head Coach, who attended theconference in 2005 & 2008, in announcing the appointment of Mathieu Rourre from Biarritz astheir new attack coach, said “I first met Mathieu when I went to a conference in Marcoussis withDidier Retiere and I got to know him very well. After that I went back to see him during my Bristoldays and we would catch up and share ideas.’

As well as providing a perfect example for us of how the conference can foster good rugby contactsand relationships, it prompted a look-back at some of todays’ successful coaches who haveattended the conference over the years:

England - Stuart Lancaster (2006), England Head Coach- Mark Mapletoft (2006/7/8) and John Kingston (2010) both coached Harlequins to Aviva Premiership title in 2012

- John Fletcher (2008/9), Peter Walton (2009) & Ian Peel (2011) all coached England u18s to win the FIRA/AER European Championship 2012

France - Fabrice Landreau (2005), Grenoble Head Coach- Serge Milhas (2005/7), Biarritz Olympique Head Coach- Franck Azema (2010), Clermont Ferrand Assistant Coach

Ireland - Antony Foley (2011/12), Munster & Ireland Assistant Coach- Michael Bradley (2010), former Ireland A and now Edinburgh Head Coach (H-Cup semi-final 2012)

- Terry McMaster (2010/11), Ireland u18 Coach (FIRA/AER Champions 2011)- Eric Elwood (2006/7), Connacht and Ireland A Coach

Italy - Alessandro Troncon (2008/10/11/12), Zebre Coach- Gianluca Guidi (2005/6/8/9/10/12), Italy u20 Head Coach- Roland de Marigny (2010), Italy National Academy Coach

Scotland - Graham Shiel (2009), Scotland 7s Coach- Gregor Townsend (2010), Glasgow Warriors Coach, former Assistant Coach, Scotland

- Sean Lineen (2011), Scotland u20 Coach, former Coach Glasgow Warriors

Wales - Robert Howley (2006), Wales acting Head Coach- Robin McBryde (2010), Wales Forwards Coach- Paul John (2008), Wales 7s Coach, 2009 Rugby World Cup 7s Winners - Lyn Jones (2005/6), London Welsh Head Coach

Jon DavisTournament & Operations Director, Six Nations Rugby Limited

Conference Alumni

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Conference ContentSession 1: Introductory Session

Each table was required to introduce themselves, discuss and give feedback on theirone coaching lesson that they had taken from Rugby World Cup and Six NationsChampionships:

• Coaching Staff need to involve and engage players

• Unified squad• Culture is key• All Blacks – Simple things done well• What happens off the pitch affects what happens on it

• How important is the coaches’ role? – France = common goal – players lead the group

• 6N – Wales – direct/go forward, used the outside channels (eg North, Roberts, Cuthbert)

• Referee, players must adapt their game plan

• Importance/Impact of speed – ferocity at the breakdown

• Culture/values – Player/owned/driven/buy in• Extra preparation time = Unions/Clubs keyed into same goal – agreement

• Uniformity and similarity across the game

• Ireland – attacking 22m – manipulate defence – shorten towards ruck/play ball to 10 – played to wings – 3 tries

• Process driven – skills/plan• Teams attack, build structure, keep ball alive

• Play to strong points• Physical/mental• Technical/tactical• Team with best players wins• Culture & environment• Analysis – empowerment (working together)• Controlling the uncontrollable• Momentum in both competitions• Preparation/resources• Defences dominate – improvement in tier 2/3, set piece importance

• Wales win with possession

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Setting the TaskThe task for the week was to observe and discuss the key learning themes from the SixNations and Rugby World CupUsing what the groups had learned and shared, they were asked to generate keyperformance indicators for the Heineken Cup Final Teams and apply these to theHeineken Cup Final.

Session 2

Didier RetierAssistant Technical Director (High Performance), FFR

Didier gave us a review of France’s performance in the 2011 RWCincluding:• The Preparation• The Management• Monitoring and Evaluation during the RWC

Session 3

Corris ThomasPast, Present and Future: A comparative analysis of the Rugby World Cup 2011 and the Six Nations2012

Corris Thomas is the IRB’s Game analysis consultant and a former international referee.

Corris analysed the Rugby World Cup 2011 and the Six Nations 2012 concentratingon:• Shape of the game in 2012• Current game issues• Challenges to coaches

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Session 4 & Session 5

Sir Graham HenryFormer National Coach New Zealand.During his career with the All Blacks they won five TriNations, three Grand Slams and one Rugby World Cuptitle. In 2012, he is to join Argentinian Rugby Team, as acoaching advisor.

Sir Graham shared his insights from the Rugby World Cup including the All Black’splanning and building for the RWC as well as their mental preparation for a hometournament. He also shared their approach to attack and defence coaching.

Graham presented on the following over two sessions:• RWC 2011 Planning & Alignment• Physical Conditioning• Individual preparation & improvement• His role & responsibilities as Head Coach• Handling the Pressure• Developing a Leadership Team (Players)• The Importance of facilitating a positive Social environment• His attack philosophies from Scrum & lineout – the concept of ‘Seams’• His philosophy with regard to team defence

In summary - Sir Graham highlighted how the All Blacks focus on strategic decisionmaking scenarios - establishing collective understanding, agreement and familiarityamong the players. He also spoke about his focus as a coach on what is important andhow this allows him to prioritise effectively.

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Session 6

Coaching Lessons from the RWC 2011 – Kevin BowringKevin shared with the delegates the RFU review of their RWC performance which hehad facilitated.

The review included the Team Debrief process as well as lessons learned from theRWC.

Kevin believed that the one over-riding lesson learned was that Culture precedesPerformance, and looked deeper into things that inhibit the growth of Team Cultureincluding:• The Management Team• The Players• The Environmental Challenges

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Session 7

IRB Council Approved Law Amendment Trials – Francesco AscioneFranco advised that the following Laws have been amended and approved for globaltrial by the IRB Council:a) Law 3.4 – Players nominated as a Substituteb) Law 4 – Players Clothing - Provision Permitting the use of GPSc) Law 4.2 – Special additional items of clothing for womend) Law 6.A.6 (b) – Referee consulting with otherse) Law 9.B.1 – Taking a conversion Kickf) Law12.1 – Outcome of a Knock-on or throw forwardg) Law 16.7 – Unsuccessful end to a Ruckh) Law 19.2 – Quick Throw ini) Law 20.1 (g) – Forming a scrumj) Law 21.4 – Penalty and Free Kick Options and Requirements

Session 8

Mental Skills Development – Gazing PerformanceHow we react under pressure: ‘Red head’ vs ‘Blue head’

Lesson 1: Mental clarityClear thinking = free from emotional diversionsDecision-making = clear about the strategy, overviewExecution = trust in process and staying present

Lesson 2: How maintain intensity under pressurePeople are ultimately only moved by pressureTolerance of discomfort zones linked to significancePerseverance linked to self-definition

Lesson 3: Accuracy of execution is an outcome of the way you trainClarityIntensity

Session 9

The delegates used this session to work on the task and prepare Key PerformanceIndicators for Heineken Cup Final teams, Leinster v Ulster.

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Session 10

What is your greatest coaching challenge?

The coaches were asked to conduct a ‘round’ and to share what they believed to betheir greatest or most difficult coaching challenge. They were then asked to agree onone challenge and question this as a group. They were then asked to present thischallenge to all but not with the solution!

Table 1 (Challenge 1)Being innovative, educating yourself to challenge the players

Table 2 (Challenge 2)Transfer from player to coach, coaching ex-team mates, how do you develop the newcoach-player relationship and deal with the problems it brings

Table 3 (Challenge 3)Keeping belief in the shared vision and staying true to it

Table 4 (Challenge 4)Management around selection (feedback, honesty, consistency, emotional)

Table 5 (Challenge 5)Keeping the players involved/engaged over the season/seasons

Table 6 (Challenge 6)How to keep non-match squad/players motivated

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The challenges were then exchanged and the groups were invited to discuss and agreea solution to the challenge/problem that their group had been given

Challenge 1

Recognition we want to be better all the time, hence we can then challenge ourselvesThe environment should reflect thisTime management, maximising timeReflecting, willingness to improveLook outside the box – other sports?Changed processes usually meet resistance – challenge comes with thisUse a monitor or confident (scrutinize what you do)Within process there must be enjoyment, be positive

Challenge 2

Depends on individual, skill set, background etcDetach from environment, different level of club, take outside the social circleSelf-awareness and social-awareness adapt and overcome problemsHave a support network, mentoring networkBeing honest & Being yourself is importantPick a good captain to aid your ability to gain your trustPlayer relationship – have clear criteria will help especially with selectionCreating trust? Character is important together with being consistent

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Challenge 3

Formation of a vision is the key (agreed direction)• Keep directional focus• Pre-season• Individual aspect & perspectives within the team• Strong focus builds resilience• Understanding others and their motivation, sharing this also develops understanding• Builds strong relationships

How do we maintain this?• Relationship between doubt and belief• Problems and doubt will occur being ready and prepared to cope is the key• Energy and direction are key- Direction is promoted by – leadership group/standards/culture/kpi’s- Energy is the fuel which propels direction- Involve young players to facilitate energy

Challenge 4

• Getting a buy-in, get positive agreement• Environmental factors, timing/announcements etc• Face to face announcement? – being upfront & face to face is important, empathy• Variation – not everyone is the same, appropriate approach

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Challenge 5

• Periodisation, making sure it’s appropriate• Don’t burn people out• Get buy-in and take responsibility, mentoring, warm-ups• Trusting and empowering, pull more than push, leadership group• Be innovative• Challenge to improve use KPI’s• Two way communication• Varying communication style – tell/sell/ask/tone• Tree – visual reflection of coaching philosophy (roots=values, trunk=you, branches=methods of growth, leaves= players)

Challenge 6

• Involvement – on & off the training pitch, in the whole project• Need to be honest with the players, but cannot make promises on future selection, teams interest comes first

• Managing game time and player turn over, giving them opportunities• Ensure all players are provided with tools to develop, given same opportunities to develop and treated the same way

• Honest and clear communication – also vary it depending on type of player

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Session 11

The groups presented their KPI’s which they would be applying to the Heineken CupFinal.

Session 12

The groups observed the Heineken Cup Final whilst applying their KPI’s.

Session 13

The delegates gave a review and feedback of the Heineken Cup Final including theKey Performance Indicators they concentrated.

Session 14

Group review and feedback session.

Some Comments:- Listening skills enhanced

- Sharing of ideas

- Influencing my vision & stimulating new ideas

- Communication has improved – expressing viewsand opinions

- Opened up and shared ideas

- Accepting the challenge

- Simplicity of philosophy – coaches try to do too much

- Relationship with clubs & people

- Corris – opened minded and seeing trends

- Red v blue interesting

- Creating a high performance culture

- Assurance – philosophies are similar

- Two different RWC coaches fantastic

- Simplicity in communication with players and in recommendations we put to them

- Sharing – the staff and players are all involved to promote responsibility

- Simplicity in dialogue

- Player at centre of everything we do

- Mental skills are important

- Player buy-in important

- Similarities in principles but different cultures – this will add value to our own development

- Give autonomy to players and staff

- Give players opportunities to perfect their skills

- Clarity of purpose – had to consider communication skills

- Subtopic

- KISS

- Control the controllable

- Look at process and outcomes

- Learned from others

- Communication skills

- Reinforcement & confirmation of ideas

- Developing player relationships

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Overall Conference

• 100% rated the content of the programme very beneficial /useful

• 97% found that the timing of the sessions was sufficient

• 100% rated the opportunities excellent/very good to informally exchange ideas andthought with other coaches

• 96% rated the quality of learning from the conference as significantly

• 100% felt they had learnt something significant from the other coaches on the conference

• 86% wished to attend another conference next year and 14% in 2 years

• 100% felt the overall conference administration was excellent or very good

• 97% thought the effectiveness of the translation and the technology utilised was excellent or very good

• 97% of delegated thought the conference venue was excellent or very good

• 85% thought the accommodation was excellent or very good

• 95% rated the food as excellent or very good

• 70% of delegates thought the guest presenters were excellent or very good

• 84% rated the in-house led sessions as excellent or very good

Review & Reflections

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DAY 1 - Wednesday 16 May

• Session 1 - Welcome, Introductions and set the

task/project

• Session 2 – France RWC 2011 - Didier Retiere

DAY 2 - Thursday 17 May

• Session 3 - Analysis – RWC 2011 & RBS 6 Nations 2012– Corris

Thomas

• Session 4 – Graham Henry-insights from RWC

(Planning and building for RWC,

inc mental prep for home

tournament)

• Session 5 – Graham Henry-insights from RWC (post RWC

analysis etc)

DAY 3 - Friday 18 May

• Session 6 – Lessons from the RWC – Kevin Bowring

• Session 7 – IRB Council Approved LawAmendment Trials – Francesco Ascione

• Session 8 – Gazing Performance - Mental skills development

• Amlin CUP Final on TV

DAY 4 - Saturday 19 May

• Session 9 - Final table work/task - prepare for Heineken Cup Final task

• Session 10 – What is your greatest coaching challenge?

• Free time

• Session 11 – Group presentations on table work/task

• Session 12 – Observe the Heineken Cup Final

• Session 13 – Review of the H Cup Final and feedback

DAY 5 - Sunday 20 May

• Session 14 – Group review and lessons Past, Present, Future

Outline Programme

“After a short periodof time all coachesopened up andonce the trust issuecame good, we allfelt easy”

Name Country Coaching Position

Philip Doyle Ireland Irish Womens Coach

Paul Burke England Assistant Coach, Leicester Tigers

Eddie Pollock Scotland Scotland U18 head Coach

Gerry Roberts Wales WRU Coach Development Manager

Sébastien Piqueronies France Head coach U17 French Team

Carlo Orlandi Italy Italia assistant Coach

Delegate GroupsGroup 1

Name Country Coaching PositionAnthony Foley Ireland Munster & Ireland assistant coach

Gary Street England RFUW England Head Coach

Iain Monaghan Scotland Scotland U20A Assistant Coach and Elite Player Development Coach (Glasgow Warriors)

Paul Young Wales Dragons Academy Coach

Bernard Goutta France Head coach U.S.A PERPIGNAN pro Team

Alessandro Troncon Italy Italia assistant Coach

Group 2

Name Country Coaching Position

Peter Malone Ireland Elite Player Manager - Munster

James Farndon England England Students Head Coach

Karen Findlay Scotland Scotland Women Head Coach

Andrew Millward Wales Ospreys Academy Manager

Nicolas Zenoni France Head coach U18 French Team

Roland de Mariny Italy Tirrenia Academy Coach

Group 3

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Group 4

Name Country Coaching PositionMike Prendergast Ireland Young Munsters CoachAndrew Stanley England Academy Manager, Worcester

WarriorsFergus Pringle Scotland Boroghmuir Head Coach and

Scotland Club International Assistant Coach

Craig Warlow Wales Assistant Coach, Bridgend RFCMathieu Codron France Head coach U20 Women French

TeamFabio Roselli Italy Italia Under 17 Head CoachMartin Kafka FIRA Czech Republic

Group 5

Name Country Coaching PositionTony Smeeth Ireland Leinster U19s & Trinity College

Coach

Martin Haag England 1st team coach, Bath Rugby

Graeme Young Scotland Stirling County RFC Head Coach

Chris Horsman Wales North Wales Head Coach

Eric Planes France Backs coach U18 French Team

Umberto Casellato Italy Rugby Mogliano Head Coach

Tomas Morais FIRA Portugal

Group 6

Name Country Coaching PositionConor Twomey Ireland Irish Club XV & University College

Cork

Toby Booth England Head Coach, London Irish

Craig Chalmers Scotland Melrose Head Coach and Scotland A Assistant Coach

Romain Parbaile France Forwards coach U18 French Team

Gianluca Guidi Italy Italia A Head Coach

Ilia Zedginidze FIRA Georgia

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“Good range of information presentedand balanced well with group tasks”

Tutors/StaffKevin Bowring EnglandPhilippe Boher FranceSteven Aboud IrelandFrancesco Ascione ItalyAllan Lewis Wales

Jon Davis/Faye Busby Conference Administration, Six Nations Rugby LimitedMarc Frances Photography

InterpretersDelfina GenchiGiuliana ZeuliLila GuhaMaïté GanzinTony CostanteNicole Jamieson

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Tutors & Staff

“This has been thebiggest benefit to me.

Enjoyed sharingthoughts with

different coaches.”

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Six Nations Rugby Limited1st Floor, Simmonscourt HouseSimmonscourt Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4

Tel: +353 (0) 1 669 0950

www.rbs6nations.com