COVENTRY Rugby head coach Alex Rae insists his side are already benefitting from the expertise added to his coaching team by the summer arrival of Steve Boden, writes Paul Smith.
The former Doncaster director of rugby spent his playing career operating as a hooker and since making the move into coaching has developed a reputation for being a specialist in the ‘dark arts’ of the front row.
Coventry’s front row cohort blends youth with experience as long-serving Toby Trinder and club captain Jordon Poole are joined by hookers Suva Ma’asi and Will Biggs plus Fijian giant Vilikesa Nairau and Eliot Salt. In addition, Cov added former Cornish Pirate Matt Johnson and Saracens academy graduate Jevaughn Warren during the close season.
According to Rae this whole front row group has already benefitted from the specialist scrummaging knowledge which Boden’s arrival has delivered.
Rae said: “Steve’s primary role is around the scrum where he is a really excellent coach.
“We’re already seeing some gains there with our young props through the detail he is bringing and what he is trying to build with them and he is also very knowledgeable about the maul.
“Steve is someone I’ve known a long time and after being out of the game for a few months it was appealing for him to get back involved with us here at Coventry.
“He’s already fitted in really well with the other coaches during the first month of pre-season and the transition has been pretty seamless.”
Working alongside former Scotland fly half Gordon Ross and ex-Bath back-rower James Scaysbrook, Cov boss Rae takes a hands-on approach which on odd occasions even goes as far as putting on a bib and joining in with the forwards.
This approach clearly works and while there is no suggestion that the arrival of another coach will change it. Rae believes having Boden’s senior coaching and management experience at the Butts Park Arena will benefit him as well as the players.
Rae added: “Having another experienced forwards coach helps take some workload off me. Steve has a good knowledge right across the game and he contributes to a wide range of areas. Scays (James Scaysbook) and Gordon (Ross) work in the same way – they have areas of specialism but because we’re a small coaching team we all have input into each other’s areas as well.
“The key thing is that we’re all aligned in having a game model and a way we want to play and that enables us to help each other and also to push each other on by sharing ideas.”
Yorkshire product Poole, who is one of the most experienced members of Cov’s squad, came across his club’s new coach early in his career when he made a big impression on his fellow hooker.
Poole said: “I know Steve from years ago at Leeds and bringing him here has been a great signing by Alex and the people who run the club.
“Speak to any of the front-rowers who’ve been working closely with him and they’ll tell you how good he is and a lot of that expert work will show itself in how we scrummage in games.”
