Bath Rugby announce coaching structure

Bath Rugby today confirms the appointment of Stuart Hooper as Director of Rugby.

As Director of Rugby Hooper will provide strength, leadership and a clear direction for the coaching team and squad to provide greater consistency of performance to underpin domestic and European success. 

In leading the rugby programme, Hooper will oversee two experienced coaches alongside a contingent of exciting emergent coaching talent. This sees Neal Hatley join the Club as Forwards and Defence Coach following England’s World Cup campaign this Autumn and Girvan Dempsey continuing to develop in his role of Attack and Backs Coach.

Hatley brings a wealth of coaching experience and knowledge of high performing environments during his time with England. 

Both Hatley and Dempsey will be joined by Luke Charteris who will embark on a new career with the Club as a specialist line-out coach. 

Pathway coaches Ryan Davis and Mark Lilley will also progress their roles moving into 2019/20. In this capacity, Davis will support Dempsey on specific areas of attack and skills coaching; Lilley will coach technical areas around the scrum and maul, supporting Hatley and working with Charteris.

Pierre-Henry Broncan will continue to develop his role as Head of Strategic Analysis and Scouting. Broncan will support the Club’s rugby department though his work within analysis across the game, and through his insights into trends, tactics and team approaches and how this integrates into the planning and performance of Bath’s first team programme.

Andy Rock is confirmed in the role of Performance Director.

Hatley will join Bath Rugby in the week following England’s final fixture of the World Cup, no later than 9th November 2019.