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Nigel Carolan Named as Assistant Coach

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Glasgow Warriors have appointed Nigel Carolan as the club’s new Assistant Coach, focusing on attack as part of Head Coach Danny Wilson’s coaching team for 2021/22 and beyond.

The 46-year-old makes the switch from United Rugby Championship rivals Connacht ahead of the new campaign, having held the role of Attack Coach at The Sportsground since 2017.

Under Carolan, Connacht supporters saw their side flourish in attack, boasting attacking stats only bettered by eventual finalists Leinster and Ulster in the 2020/21 Guinness PRO14; the men in green crossed for 53 tries, with winger Alex Wootton finishing as joint top-try scorer in the competition.

The Galway native also represented Connacht with distinction as a player as a creative and hard-working centre or winger, working under Warren Gatland during the 2021 British and Irish Lions’ Head Coach’s time at The Sportsground back in the late 1990s.

After being forced to retire due to injury in 2000, Carolan made the transition to coaching as Connacht’s Head of Academy in 2004, a role he held until 2017 and his promotion to the position of Attack Coach at the club.

He also dove-tailed his Connacht commitments with the role of Ireland U20 Head Coach from 2014-17, overseeing the development of a host of talents who have gone on to become integral members of the senior Irish international setup.

A Carolan-led Ireland U20 enjoyed an historic World Rugby U20 Championship in 2016, as a squad containing Jacob Stockdale, Hugo Keenan and Andrew Porter defeated New Zealand en route to a first-ever – and to date, only – appearance in an World Rugby U20 Championship Final.

Speaking following his appointment, Carolan told glasgowwarriors.org: “Glasgow Warriors play an exciting brand of rugby that fits perfectly with my own philosophies on how the game should be played. I’ve also been really impressed with the clarity and direction that Danny [Wilson] and Al [Kellock] are taking the club in.

“The squad consists of world-class players and some really exciting up and coming young players. Helping those players realise their potential is something I will take a lot of pride in. At Connacht, when young players came through the academy and went on to represent their country, those were career highlights.

“I’m really looking forward to challenging myself in this new environment, learning from others and enhancing Glasgow’s attack.”

Head Coach Danny Wilson was delighted with the addition of the club’s new Attack Coach, saying: “Nigel is an outstanding coach whose reputation goes before him amongst players and coaches alike across the league.

“Connacht have had a great attack for a number of seasons and Nigel’s work has been a massive part of that.

“He is a very technical coach who really impressed us with his passion and experience not only in coaching a successful attack but also developing young talent.

“We are looking forward to him joining the club and getting started ahead of the new season.”

Nigel Carolan
Connacht Rugby Squad Training, Sportsground, Galway 30/3/2021
Backs coach Nigel Carolan
Photo: ©INPHO/James Crombie

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.