Doorey and Laidlaw to join London Irish Coaching team for 2015/16 season

London Irish have completed their coaching team ahead of next season with confirmation that Grant Doorey and Clark Laidlaw will join Tom Coventry’s coaching set up.

Grant Doorey will join as the Club’s Assistant Coach where he will look after defence, ending his current association with the Auckland Blues.

Grant had a successful Rugby League career playing at the top level in both Australia and France. He moved into coaching, and specialised in defence strategies where he worked alongside Sir John Kirwan as Assistant Coach for Italy, Japan and the Barbarians before joining up with the Blues in Auckland.

Clark Laidlaw joins as Assistant Coach and will be responsible for the backs. He is Assistant Coach at the Wellington Hurricanes, who are currently top of the Super XV table. Laidlaw, who is the son of Scotland and British and Irish Lion Scrum half Roy, played for Livorno, Borders and Scotland 7s before embarking on a successful coaching career.

Clark moved to New Zealand in 2008 working within the Taranaki Academy for two years before taking up the position of Skills Coach with the New Zealand 7s team. The Scot returned to Taranaki in 2010 to become their Skills Coach before taking up his current role of Assistant Coach with the Hurricanes in 2013. He is regarded as one of the brightest young coaches in New Zealand.

London Irish Operations Director, Bob Casey said: “We are extremely happy with the coaching team we have assembled for next season. Grant and Clark are both great characters and talented, ambitious coaches who will fit well into the environment at Hazelwood. We look forward to welcoming both Clark, Grant and their families into the Club in the summer.”

Tom Coventry, London Irish Head Coach for 2015 added: “I am delighted to have secured the coaching services of two talented coaches; both men have displayed the ability to work to a very high standard in a wide range of rugby environments. Both are extremely conscientious, resourceful and very knowledgeable and will add real value to the London Irish Club and family. We look forward to joining in the summer and are all excited by the new challenges that lie ahead.”