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James Scaysbrook coaching with England Under-20s

Coventry Rugby has today announced that James Scaysbrook will be heading to Butts Park Arena this summer to be the club’s new defence coach.

The move represents a return to the West Midlands for the Birmingham-born Scaysbrook, who spent his playing career with Bath and Exeter. The former England Saxons flanker cut his coaching teeth in Hong Kong and Japan before joining the England Under-20 set-up as Defence Coach in 2018/19.

Latterly he has been Head Coach at Plymouth Albion, who he has guided to seven wins from nine matches since the turn of the year.

Scaysbrook’s arrival will see Anthony Allen switch roles to become Attack and Backs Coach and Louis Deacon continuing at Forwards Coach, with the coaching team supported by Academy Manager Ross Stewart.

Director of Rugby Rowland Winter says that Scaysbrook is a strong addition to the Coventry Rugby coaching group.

“James impressed as a standout candidate during the interview process and will bring a different perspective, plenty of experience, and some fresh thinking into our coaching mix,” he said.

“I believe that James will fit in very well at Butts Park alongside Anthony Allen and Louis Deacon as senior coaches.

“We are also constantly looking for ways to enhance our rugby programme, and the addition of James to our coaching team will match the significant steps we have made forward with our Academy, Medical, and S&C departments at the beginning of this season.

“We wish James well for the remainder of the season with Plymouth and look forward to welcoming him to Coventry in the summer.”

Scaysbrook is looking forward to taking on a fresh challenge.

“Coventry are developing a squad that is built around a core group of young and talented players,” he said. “That’s exciting, and I am really looking forward to working with them.

“I’ve been really impressed by what has been achieved at Coventry in a short time,” he commented. “I am looking forward to helping build on the good work and continuing to progress and improve as a team.”