Darren Edwards joins Bath Rugby coaching staff as Mike Ford, Toby Booth and ...

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A new coach was awaiting Bath Rugby’s players when they returned for pre-season training at Farleigh House on Monday morning.

Former Newport Gwent Dragons head coach Darren Edwards will focus on the club’s individual skills programme.

He arrives on the day the club confirmed that the current coaching team of Mike Ford, Toby Booth and Neal Hatley had all signed contract extensions at The Rec until the end of the 2015/16 season.

Edwards played predominantly for London Welsh and London Irish during an illustrious playing career spanning 12 years. He was renowned for his attacking style of play and this is something he has focused on through his coaching career. 

During his time as attack coach at Newport Gwent Dragons, the 39-year-old was simultaneously appointed head coach of the Wales under-20 team before being promoted to the same role with Dragons in 2011.

“I can’t wait to get started at Bath,” said Edwards, who left Dragons in February to ensure he could take a break and spend time with his wife and young sons before taking up his new role.

“They have a fantastic and dynamic young squad, who have masses of potential to build on.

“It’s a really exciting time to be joining the club and I’m looking forward to helping them reach the ambitions they have over the coming seasons.”

Ford, Booth and Hatley, who led the team to the Amlin Challenge Cup final and a fifth-placed Aviva Premiership finish in 2013/14, have all signed a year’s extension on their current contracts.

Head coach Ford said: “We’re thrilled Darren has agreed to join us. He’s got a wealth of experience on both the playing and coaching side, and will add another dimension to our coaching team.

“We made huge progress as a squad last season but only really scratched the surface of what this group of players can do. Toby, Neal and I are all very excited to continue shaping the future of this great club.

“We want to build a team culture on and off the field that will create success and we have definitely made great inroads into that.

“I know I speak on behalf of all four of us when I say we are dedicated to the club and can’t wait for the new season to start so we can pick up on the momentum gained and carry on our improvement as a squad.”

Darren Edwards joins Bath Rugby coaching staff as Mike Ford, Toby Booth and ...