Wasps director of rugby Tony Hanks has confirmed World Cup winner Trevor Woodman and John McCloskey will join his backroom staff.
World Cup-winner agrees to become forwards coach
New London Wasps director of rugby Tony Hanks has confirmed World Cup winner Trevor Woodman and John McCloskey will join his backroom staff at Adams Park.
Woodman returns to England after working with the Australian Rugby Union as their national scrum coach to look after the forwards at Wasps, having agreed a two-year deal.
McCloskey arrives as the new skills coach having previously made his name in Gaelic football - although he has previously worked with Wasps on a consultancy basis, while he spent a spell as fitness advisor to the Irish RFU.
Woodman and McCloskey will work under Shaun Edwards, who remains the club's head coach.
And Hanks, who has replaced Ian McGeechan as director of rugby, is pleased to have his coaching team in place ahead of the pre-season.
"Taking on the director of rugby role my first priority was always to complete the coaching team and I think we have achieved a highly skilled and balanced set up with the addition of Trevor Woodman and John McCloskey," said Hanks.
"In Trevor, I am pleased we can announce such a quality forwards coach. He has a fantastic reputation as a player, having been part of the World Cup winning side in 2003, and as a coach I have been hugely impressed with what I have seen.
Ability
"He offers a nice point of difference having being involved in rugby in both hemispheres and I am really impressed that he has gone and done the hard yards, moving from the UK to start his coaching career in Australia.
"His ability was recognised quickly with the role of national scrum coach at the ARU and I believe he is going to be a great addition to our coaching team.
"The addition of John to our set up sees the introduction of a new role dedicated to the strengthening and development of our players' core skills.
"To have someone solely focused in this area we show a commitment to long term development and in John we have a man with a proven coaching ability and great record in Gaelic sport.
"His strengths around handling, aerial skills and kicking are key aspects of the modern game and I think that the appointment will be of great benefit to our squad across the board.
"Having worked with John last season I was very impressed with what he had to offer and I believe that his appointment will add great value to the Wasps squad in the short and long term future."
Talents
Former prop Woodman was capped 22 times by England and played for Bath, Gloucester and Sale before injury forced him to quit the sport at just 29.
Having worked with Sydney University, Woodman was recruited by the ARU to work on scrums with the Wallabies and the Super 14 franchises.
And he is now looking forward to his new role - particularly working with former international colleagues Phil Vickery and Simon Shaw.
He said: "Wasps have an unbeatable record in the game with an honours list that can rival any other Premiership Club and over the years they have produced some of the games most exciting talents.
"For me personally and professionally I am hugely excited by the challenge that lies ahead - the club is at the beginning of it's next chapter and working alongside great coaches in Tony Hanks and Shaun Edwards you can sense the determination and the desire to make this season a success from the off - something I am delighted to have an opportunity to be a part of.
"Wasps have always been one of those clubs whether as a player, coach or spectator, you had an immense amount of respect for.
"Taking on the role of forwards coach, I will have the opportunity to not only work as part of this great establishment, but also join forces with some of the most respected names in the game with the likes of Vickery and Shaw - two of my former team mates - to name but a few."
