Former England star Geoff Parling bags first international coaching role - Ruck

Former England star Geoff Parling bags first international coaching role

Wallabies boss Dave Rennie has appointed former England lock Geoff Parling as his forwards coach for his first season in charge, Rugby Australia said on Friday.

The 36-year-old, who appeared 29 times for England and helped the Lions win their series in Australia in 2013, has spent three years in Australia coaching with Melbourne Rebels boss Dave Wessels.

Parling joins attack coach Scott Wisemantel, South African scrum coach Petrus Du Plessis and defence coach Matt Taylor on Rennie’s staff.

“I’ve really enjoyed helping develop the players we’ve had in Melbourne, so to now get the opportunity to join Dave’s coaching team for this test season is a real honour,” Parling said in a news release.

“There is some great talent here but we won’t get anywhere without hard work. I have high expectations of the group and am looking forward to seeing them rip in.”

Rennie added: “He is a good man. He’s technically very strong around lineout and maul and he has impressed me with his work ethic to get up to speed over the last two weeks.


Sam Warburton names his five ‘certainties’ for 2021 Lions XV

1. Stuart Hogg (Scotland)

“Stuart is certainly one of the most talented players I have ever played with, for me currently he is right up there with the best attackers in the world,”

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