James Buckland named as London Welsh forwards coach

London Welsh have appointed James Buckland as their forwards coach.

Buckland's main focus will be the set-piece and he has joined London Welsh until the end of the season, with assistant coach Matthew Ferguson departing the relegated Aviva Premiership club.

A former England Saxon and U21 hooker, Buckland, 33, spent five seasons at Leicester Tigers, featuring in the 2007 Heineken Cup final, before going on to represent Wasps and London Irish.

After four seasons at London Irish, Buckland joined London Scottish as forwards and defence coach in November 2012. He was appointed acting head coach at the beginning of the 2013/14 season before the position was made permanent in February 2014.

Buckland made eight Championship appearances for London Welsh, the last during season 2009/10 while on loan from Irish, and he was also part of Welsh's coaching set up during the club's 2012/13 Aviva Premiership campaign.

London Welsh director of rugby Steve Lewis said: "James has been on our radar for some time and I am very pleased that he has agreed to join Rowland's coaching team. He brings a lot of technical knowledge of the set-piece, and we are already seeing the benefits of his experience among the players within these areas.

"James has been at London Welsh before, both as a player and a coach, so he knows the set up at the club and also knows quite a few of the players as well. His introduction into the current playing and coaching group at London Welsh has been seamless and there's been an excellent and immediate response from the players to his coaching.”

Buckland said: "The invitation to join London Welsh until the end of the season was one I was delighted to accept, and I'm very grateful to have the opportunity to test myself in a Premiership environment.

"Despite the club's league position I've encountered a positive environment. The players are all eager and willing to work hard to improve their game and to keep fighting right to the end of the season.”