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From Ystradgynlais to the MLR... sacked Ospreys boss Allen Clarke moves on from Wales

(Photo by Athena Pictures/Getty Images)

Former Ospreys boss Allen Clarke has bagged himself a Major League Rugby role just 32 days after linking up with Welsh League 2 West Central side Ystradgynlais as a coaching consultant. The Irishman was ousted from his head coaching position at the Guinness PRO14 club last November.

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That axing that took a while to run its course as it wasn’t until December 30 that the Ospreys officially confirmed Clarke was gone following a legal standoff. It was the last heard of Clarke until last month when he hooked up with Ystradgynlais, a Welsh grassroots club located less than 20 miles north of the Liberty Stadium. 

However, it has now emerged that Clarke is heading much further afield than that, new MLR start-up club Dallas Jackals announcing on Friday that they have appointed the 52-year-old former Ireland hooker as their new director of rugby for the 2021 season. 

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“When I spoke with Phil Camm and Elaine Vassie, I was impressed with the club’s vision, their plans for the development of rugby in the area and their personal integrity,” said Clarke on the Dallas club’s website.

“Rugby is a growing sport in America and the quality of the MLR is improving at a rapid rate each year. I’m looking forward to immersing myself in the culture of Texas, building connections with the community and playing my part in the growth of rugby in Dallas. We have a lot of work to do, but everybody is determined to work tirelessly to achieve success on and off the field.”

Jackals general manager Camm added: “After an extensive search, we are proud to have attracted and secured a director of rugby of Allen’s calibre. Development of domestic talent is a key priority for the Dallas Jackals. Allen’s passion and expertise in this area coupled with his elite level coaching made him the standout candidate for us.”

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J
JW 30 minutes ago
England player ratings vs South Africa | 2024 Autumn Nations Series

As has been the way all year, and for all England's play I can remember. I missed a lot of the better years under Eddie though.


Lets have a look at the LQB for the last few games... 41% under 3 sec compared to 56% last week, 47% in the game you felt England best in against NZ, and 56 against Ireland.


That was my impression as well. Dunno if that is a lack of good counterattack ball from the D, forward dominance (Post Contact Meters stats reversed yesterday compared to that fast Ireland game), or some Borthwick scheme, but I think that has been highlighted as Englands best point of difference this year with their attack, more particularly how they target using it in certain areas. So depending on how you look at it, not necessarily the individual players.


You seem to be falling into the same trap as NZs supporters when it comes to Damien McKenzie. That play you highlight Slade in wasn't one of those LQB situations from memory, that was all on the brilliance of Smith. Sure, Slade did his job in that situation, but Smith far exceeded his (though I understand it was a move Sleightholme was calling for). But yeah, it's not always going to be on a platter from your 10 and NZ have been missing that Slade line, in your example, more often than not too. When you go back to Furbank and Feyi-Waboso returns you'll have that threat again. Just need to generate that ball, wait for some of these next Gen forwards to come through etc, the props and injured 6 coming back to the bench. I don't think you can put Earl back to 7, unless he spends the next two years speeding up (which might be good for him because he's getting beat by speed like he's not used to not having his own speed to react anymore).

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