Damian McGrath

Who is Damian McGrath?

Damian McGrath played professional Rugby League at Batley before embarking on a successful coaching career, which has encompassed both codes of rugby at club and international level. His first post as reserve team coach at Batley RLFC brought the club its first trophy for 65 years and led to his appointment to the staff at Leeds Rhinos, one of Rugby League’s ‘blue chip’ clubs.

Championships at Academy and Reserve team level for Leeds were followed by elevation to the senior coaching team as Super League arrived in Rugby League. Two Challenge Cup Finals and an appearance in the inaugural Super League Grand Final in 1998 reflected the clubs growing success.

On the International stage he coached The Great Britain Academy team and Great Britain U21’s which culminated in his appointment as assistant coach to the senior England team in 1999 and for the 2000 Rugby League World Cup. In 2001 he was recruited by the RFU to the joint post of Defence and Skills coach for the England ‘A’ team and the England 7’s team.

Over a period of five years the England 7’s team won 4 Hong Kong titles, appeared at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester and the 2005, 7’s World Cup.