England"s former Wigan Warriors and Saracens" rugby star Andy Farrell to lead ...

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ANDY Farrell, the defence coach for England’s rugby team, is to lead a training session at Manor Park RFC.

The Midlands 3 West South club was selected from more than 600 entries of a Twitter competition to receive the session by the former Great Britain rugby league captain.

“It’s an absolutely massive boost for the club to have someone of Andy’s standing in the sport to come along to Manor Park,” said club press officer Bobby Bridge.

“Our treasurer Nik Gajic entered us into the competition for a defence session with Andy after we let a 15 point half-time lead slip against our division’s league leaders, with the hope of picking up some tips!

“So we’re delighted the RFU selected us for this session and grateful for Nik, our reigning clubman of the year, for once again coming up trumps and going the extra yard for this club.”

Held on Thursday, April 24 at the Griff and Coton from 6pm, participation is strictly for Manor Park members only, however members of the public are welcome to attend in a spectating capacity.

Farrell amassed 2,693 points for Wigan Warriors in a glittering Rugby League career, as well as 34 appearances for Great Britain scoring 134 points.

He switched codes to Union in 2005, making 28 appearances for Saracens and gaining eight England caps, including appearances at the 2007 Rugby World Cup.

After retiring from playing action in 2009, Farrell took up a roll as skills coach at Saracens and was soon promoted to first team coach in 2010.

In December 2011, Farrell, along with former Nuns’ prop Graham Rowntree, joined the England coaching staff, and initially juggled both roles before leaving the London club in June 2012.

Manor Park have endured a tough season back at Midlands 3 West South following last season’s promotion, but have achieved their goal of survival.

The session falls just outside the league season that ends tomorrow, with a home game against Evesham at the Griff and Coton, kick off 3pm.

“The lads go on tour to Sheffield the day after the session, but the buzz that’s flying around the club about this is tangible,” added Bridge. “The RFU made the announcement on Facebook to nearly 900,000 followers and a quarter of a million on Twitter.

“So that’s a tremendous amount of people that now know about our rugby club that perhaps didn’t before.

“The drive behind the competition was to keep people playing the sport and we’re a fine example of that, we regularly have people booting up who are in their thirties and forties and are still going strong.

“Our club has welcomed in many footballers who are now enjoying rugby and contributing to the club, like Liam Wiezak and Dave Paterson.

“So we’re hoping for a great turn out and a reward for Manor Park players who have fronted up for the club during a difficult season.”

The club is searching for a new head coach for the 2014/15 campaign, interested parties should email manorparkrfc@hotmail.co.uk

Article source: http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/who-fastest-rugby-player-world-6997122

England"s former Wigan Warriors and Saracens" rugby star Andy Farrell to lead ...