The Western Force have continued to shore up their coaching ranks for 2017 with the signing of Alan Gaffney as an attack specialist.
Gaffney is one of Australia’s most experienced coaches having been in the profession for the past two decades, and is the second coach signing to be announced in the past two days after current Ulster assistant Joe Barakat was named as defence coach.
Gaffney has coached all around the world, having worked with the Wallabies and Ireland as well as clubs including the Waratahs, Leinster, Munster and Saracens.
Gaffney said he was thrilled to be joining the Force for the next year’s Super Rugby season.
“I’ll be working with Dave (Wessels) and also with the new attack coach,” he said.
“I suppose an old bugger like me has been around the traps, and that’s not to say I’m always right, but it means as a coaching group we will be able to challenge each other.
“I think adopting a different attitude to the way they play from the last couple of years is going to be pretty exciting for the Force. There are a number of good young players that are really hungry to play and don’t play with fear, so it’s an exciting time.”
Force head coach Dave Wessels said Gaffney’s success would be invaluable around the team.
“Alan’s CV speaks for himself,” he said.
“He's achieved almost everything there is to achieve in rugby and has a fantastic understanding of how to build an effective attack. He's won a Six Nations Grand Slam, a Heineken Cup and been successful with some of the best teams in the world."
Alan Gaffney - Professional Coaching Career:
National Elite Programmes Coach Australia (2013-present)
Senior Assistant Coach NSW Waratahs (2011–2013)
Backs Coach Ireland National Rugby Union Team (2008–2011)
Backs Coach and Technical Consultant Leinster Rugby Ireland (2008–2010)
Director of Rugby at Saracens UK (2006–2008)
Assistant Coach Australian National Rugby Union Team (2005)
Head Coach Munster Rugby Ireland (2002–2005)
Backs Coach Leinster Rugby Ireland (2000–2002)
Assistant Coach New South Wales Waratahs (1997–1999)