Steve Diamond has reportedly taken up an ‘Advisor’ role with the RFU. The former Sale Sharks Director of Rugby looks to have joined the England set-up in a freelancing position, following a recent update to his personal LinkedIn profile.
Diamond was last seen around a professional rugby environment in the United Rugby Championship, as he was the Lead Rugby Consultant for Edinburgh. Diamond took charge of the side for the final three matches of the 2022/23 URC season, which saw the Scottish club finish at 12th in the table. Diamond oversaw Edinburgh’s final win of the campaign, as they defeated the Ospreys 45-21 in the penultimate round of action.
Diamond is a well known face to fans of the Premiership, and has previously taken the reins of Worcester Warriors, Sale Sharks, Northampton Saints and Saracens. This is Diamond’s second run within the RFU, as also oversaw the England Saxons set-up, for the 2003/04 season. The former hooker won silverware in Worcester’s final full season before their financial collapse, as the Warriors defeated London Irish to lift the 2021/22 Premiership Rugby Cup.
A lifelong Sale Sharks player, Diamond racked up a staggering 351 caps for the Greater Manchester side. Diamond was amongst the Sharks squad that achieved promotion into the Premiership back in 1994, and lifted the RFU Championship title.
Diamond’s longest coaching stint came with the Sharks, as he took the helm at the AJ Bell for eight seasons. The DoR’s second run in charge saw him remain at the club from 2012 to 2020.
