A high performance strength and conditioning scientist with over 20 years experience in team sports, the South African native holds an MSc in Exercise Science and is currently completing a PhD.  He has worked in all areas of his field as a strength and conditioning coach, a high performance manager and a sports scientist in performance research.

He began his career as the fitness coach to the Western Province Rugby Team in 1992 and held the position of strength and conditioning coach to the South African National Team in 1994. In tandem with his role with these teams, he was appointed as the Sports Science Director in the University of Cape Town in 1990 before setting up his own private biokinetics practice in Cape Town.

When the sport turned professional in 1995, he left South Africa to join the Welsh Rugby Union as the National Fitness Coach where he oversaw all aspects of sports science.   He then moved north to Scotland where he took up a position with the Scottish Institute of Sport and has been the Head of Strength and Conditioning for the Sportscotland Institute of Sport since 2001.

His role with Sportscotland has seen him work with a variety of sports and he will be working with several athletes in the London Olympic games before he fully takes up his position with the IRFU in September.    All strength and conditioning programmes and coaches in the provincial teams are centrally managed by the IRFU and Clark will be working closely with the provinces to continue to reinforce the elite fitness pathways.

IRFU Director of Rugby Eddie Wigglesworth welcomed his appointment and said: “The strength and conditioning role is incredibly important and while the IRFU structures have served us well in terms of the preparation of the players in the provincial teams and at international representative level, it was important that we took time to find the right person with the balance of experience and scientific background to drive on the fitness structures within the elite performance pathways.

“Dave Clark has vast experience of managing and implementing such programmes and while he has the added experience of working with other sports, his foundation has been in the development of rugby conditioning, giving what we feel is an important benefit to the skills he will bring to the position.”

Clark was equally enthusiastic when commenting on his new appointment and said: ‘Irish Rugby is certainly continuing its high achievements and I have been impressed by the structures and systems in place for sports science and fitness within performance rugby at the IRFU. I am looking forward to this exciting challenge, fully aware of the work that lies ahead to ensure that elite conditioning continues to move forward in what is an increasingly competitive area of the game.”

Following agreement from his current club Ospreys, Bowe has been given early release from his contract with the club to allow him to take up a new contract with the IRFU and to play in Ulster for the next three seasons.

Schooled at Royal School Armagh, Bowe began his professional career with Ulster, making a try scoring debut for the province in the 2003/04 season. His elevation to the senior Ulster team followed selection for the Ulster schools team and also playing at full back and wing for the Ireland U21 team in 2004, being part of the squad that reached the final of the IRB under 21 World Cup, but was ruled out of the semi final and final due to injury.

Bowe won his first cap for Ireland against the USA in the old Lansdowne Road the following season, scoring a try on his debut in November 2004. He continued to play for Ulster for the following three seasons, amassing 91 appearances and scoring 34 tries. During that time, he was part of the Ulster team that won the 2004/05 Celtic League.

At the end of the 2007/08 seasons he moved to the Ospreys club in Wales and continued to represent Ireland, being part of the Ireland team that won the Six Nations Championship in 2009 and was also selected to tour South Africa with the British & Irish Lions, playing in six games including all three test matches.

The 2010 season was a particularly good year for the Monaghan man, being named as the RBS Player of the Championship for the 2010 RBS 6 Nations as well as the IRUPA Player of the Year 2010 and the Guinness Rugby Writers of Ireland Player of the Year.

He was selected in the Ireland squad for the 2011 Rugby World Cup, scoring two tries against the USA in New Plymouth and has continued that form by scoring five tries so far in the RBS Six Nations Championship for Ireland.

Bowe, a Ravenhill favourite, has enjoyed his spell in Wales, but is looking forward to returning to Belfast and said: “Obviously, I have mixed emotions. I’m sad to be leaving a club and a region that I have been proud to call my home for the last three years and that has improved me immeasurably both as a rugby player and as a person. I am indebted to the staff, coaches, management, team mates and fans of the Ospreys, for welcoming me so warmly and making my time here so special.

"That said, I am also delighted to be returning to Ulster, the Province I grew up wanting to play for and where my family live. David Humphreys was a mentor of mine in my early playing days and we have remained friends during my time at the Ospreys. His vision for Ulster is impressive, with Ulster born players at the core of this vision. I hope to repay the IRFU and Ulster’s faith in me by contributing to a team that is already delivering. The vibe at Ulster is undeniably positive. I’ve been training and playing with some of the Ulster boys during the Six Nations and there is a real energy and sense of anticipation as to what lies ahead for this Ulster team".

IRFU Chief Executive Philip Browne said: “The policy for the IRFU will continue to have as many Irish qualified players playing here in Ireland to maintain both the competiveness of the provinces and to allow the players to be managed for the benefit of the Ireland team. I am delighted that Tommy Bowe has chosen to return to Ulster to play and it speaks volumes for both the system we have here in Ireland and the building momentum in Ulster that a player of his standing in the game has committed himself long term to his home province.”

Ulster Director of Rugby David Humphreys commented: “We are delighted to be in a position to finally confirm that Tommy will be playing his rugby with Ulster next season and I’d like to thank the IRFU for their assistance in bringing him home. The speculation around his return over the past number of weeks is testament to the level of regard that the Ulster Rugby public have for him and rightly so. Skilful, physical, and a proven finisher with a knack of being in the right place at the right time, there’s no doubt that Tommy has consistently been one of European rugby’s best players over the past few seasons and he’ll bring a lot of experience and flair to our backline.”

Tommy Bowe Career Details

Born: 22nd February 1984

Ireland Career
Debut: V USA 20/11/2004
Caps: 47
Points: 120 (24 tries)

Ulster Career
Debut: V Connacht 16/04/2004
Caps: 91
Points: 170 (34 tries)

Ospreys Career
Debut: Connacht 05/09/2008
Caps: 77
Points: 180 (36 tries)

British & Irish Lions
Debut: V Royal XV 30/05/2009 (Tour to South Africa)
Appearances: 6
Points: 20 (4 Tries)

Paddy Wallace has signed a one year deal which will see him contracted to the IRFU and Ulster Rugby until June 2013 while Tom Court has agreed a two year term which will see him wear Ulster colours until June 2014.

Both players were part of the Ireland Squad that reached the quarter-final stage of this year’s Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.

Paddy Wallace, currently the longest serving member of the Ulster squad made his debut against Swansea in August 2001. Educated at Campbell College Belfast, Paddy was part of Ireland’s U19 Rugby World Cup winning side in 1999 and represented Ireland at U21, A and Sevens level before winning his first senior cap  when he came on a replacement against South Africa in November 2006. He was a member of Irish squad who won the Six Nations Grand Slam in 2009.

Tom Court joined Ulster Rugby from Australia at the start of the 2006-07 season. Irish qualified through ancestry, he was one of the best shot-putters in Australia and was a late convert to rugby union, taking up the game at the University of Queensland. From there he was invited to join the Queensland Reds Rugby Academy and played for New Zealand Province Manawatu, before returning to Australia to feature in the Reds Super 14 squad. No sooner had he arrived in Belfast than he was taken to the USA and Canada as part of the Ireland A Churchill Cup Squad and having won his first full Irish cap in the 2009 Six Nations Championships he is now a regular member of Ireland’s match day squad.

“I’ve had a great run here so far and Belfast is very much home now for my young family, so I’m delighted to have signed a new contract with Ulster.” commented Court. “I think we’ve made some real progress over the past 2-3 seasons, the Ulster team is as tight as ever and it’s a brilliant boost for me to sign a new deal and ensure that I’m part of that set-up.”

“It’s great to get the contract agreed early, and to have the certainty about where I’m going to be for the foreseeable future. Now I can just concentrate on the rugby.  Winning silverware with Ulster will be my main goal, and if things go well with Ulster then hopefully Ireland will fall into place.”

Ulster Bank has increased its considerable support to Irish Rugby through this new partnership which also exists through the sponsorship of the 6 Nations Championship by Royal Bank of Scotland, the parent company of Ulster Bank.

This new partnership further cements the relationship between rugby in Ireland and Ulster Bank which will be supporting the Ireland Club International team, which allows non professional club players to play for Ireland against similar amateur selections.  The Ulster Bank Club International team will be playing two games this year against a Scotland Clubs team and England Counties XV during the RBS 6 Nations Championship.

A significant component to the new partnership was the desire by the IRFU and Ulster Bank to support and develop community rugby clubs in Ireland and this is something that is highlighted through the Ulster Bank RugbyForce initiative that is designed to help unite club members and local volunteers to improve their club and community rugby facilities.

Ulster Bank RugbyForce encourages rugby supporters, their friends and families to give something back to their local community rugby club by volunteering to undertake renovations to clubhouses and grounds. Four lucky clubs will be selected for a very special makeover winning €5,000 of goods and resources to use toward their planned club development during the Ulster Bank RugbyForce weekend. 

Clubs must register for Ulster Bank RugbyForce online at www.ulsterbank.com/rugby by March 25th, 2011.

IRFU President Caleb Powell said, “This is an exciting new partnership for Irish rugby which will provide much needed support to all clubs and to the wonderful volunteer effort that goes into our community game.  The RugbyForce programme is further development of this effort and a superb way to help further incentivise the passionate work that these rugby people around Ireland already give to their clubs.  I would like to thank Ulster Bank for their decision to pledge their support to Irish Rugby. I warmly welcome the bank further into our rugby family and I look forward to a mutually beneficial partnership over the next three years.”

Ellvena Graham, Director of Business Services Ireland, Ulster Bank,commented, “Ulster Bank is delighted to extend their partnership with the IRFU and rugby throughout the country. We are very proud of our ongoing sponsorship of one of the world’s leading rugby competitions, the RBS 6 Nations, and this new community focused partnership offers an even greater opportunity for Ulster Bank to support its network of branches, business centres, staff and indeed customers throughout the island of Ireland with a number of exciting new initiatives. We are extremely pleased to introduce Ulster Bank RugbyForce and look forward to working with volunteers and improving club facilities in Ireland.”

The IRFU are currently in the process of contracting Ireland based players and Healy’s new contract comes on the back of those recently awarded to Donncha O’Callaghan and Ronan O’Gara with Munster.

Healy has represented Ireland at Schools, under 19, under 20, A and full international level and at only 23 has already won 13 caps for Ireland.  He made his Leinster debut in the Magners League in 2007 and has appeared for his hometown province on 68 occasions.

IRFU Chief Executive Philip Browne said, “We began the process of contracting players as early as the summer and while it is something that can take time to complete, this is nothing new and we are progressing through the majority of those contracts that are coming to an end this season or early next season.  With a fixture list of potentially over 40 matches per season and with even more games in overseas leagues where we would have no influence on the game time for Irish players, it is vital that we continue to work to retain players to play within Ireland in the provinces.  It’s only in this way that we can continue to have a positive influence on their development and in particular to ensure that our international players are best equipped to contribute to the further success of Irish rugby at international level and also at provincial level.”

Cian Healy said, “I am delighted to have my new contract signed as it means I can continue to concentrate on playing for my home province and improving my game further.  It has been a good couple of weeks for us and so I just want to focus on playing well for Leinster to keep me firmly in the plans of Declan and the national team.”

Ireland Coach Declan Kidney said, “For a young player like Cian who has progressed really well over the last 18 months this is good news as it allows him to continue to develop as a player in Ireland. He has approached every challenge with the same hard working attitude and if he continues to do this he can become an even better player."

Leinster Rugby Coach Joe Schmidt said, “Cian is a strong and dynamic ball-carrying loosehead and it was great to see his efforts rewarded with two tries in the recent Heineken Cup win over ASM Clermont Auvergne. Cian has been impressive progressing through the Leinster Academy, into the Leinster Senior Team and onto the Ireland International side. At just 23, there is obviously still plenty of scope for further development which promises real benefit for both Leinster and Irish rugby.”

The National Talent Squads are part of the IRFU’s High Performance pathway and consist of underage players who have been identified at this point in their development for progression to international team representation.

The selection process has been based on their interprovincial competition performances and also the national screening camps that took place during October. Once the players are named in the squad for this season, they are continually assessed on all aspects of their rugby progression from skills to physical development.

IRFU High Performance Manager Allen Clarke said, “The announcement of the National Talent Squads reflects significant advancements in our elite player development programmes. This progress has been greatly assisted by the contribution of schools, clubs and the number of quality volunteers who add significant value through their commitment and support of the RDS (regional development squad) programme. The players have been selected following their performances in the interprovincial competitions in September and national screenings in October.

“Playing rugby for their schools or clubs, they receive additional specific support from provincial academy experts, based on individual needs to prepare them for the respective International fixtures at Ireland Club U18′s, Ireland Schools U18′s and Ireland U19′s. It is important to note that the squads are not ‘ring fenced’ – performances of all players continue to be evaluated through the game allowing for late developers and rewarding performances on the field.”

National Talent Squads 2010/11

Under 18 Schools Squad
Ben Alexander (Royal Belfast Academical Institution/Ulster)
Adam Boland (Blackrock College/Leinster)
Edward Byrne (Clongowes Wood College/Leinster)
John Creighton (Campbell College/Ulster
Steve Crosbie (St Gerard’s School/Leinster)
Christopher Farrell (Campbell College/Ulster)
Thomas Ferrari  (Sligo Grammar School/Connacht)
Jack Fitzpatrick (Gonzaga College/Leinster)
Seamus Glynn (Presentation Brothers Cork/Munster)
Mark Gribben (Methodist College Belfast/Ulster)
Stuart Hooks (Royal School Armagh/Ulster)
Dan Leavy (St Michael’s College/Leinster)
Sean McCarthy (Rockwell College/Munster)
Conor McEllin (Blackrock College/Leinster)
Luke McGrath (St Michael’s College/Leinster)
Ryan Murphy (Presentation Brothers Cork/Munster)
Andrew Murphy (St Michael’s College/Leinster)
Philip O’Dwyer (Cistercian College Roscrea/Connacht)
Cian O’Halloran (Christian Brothers Cork/Munster)
Stuart Olding (Belfast Royal Academy/Ulster)
Jack O’Neil (Castleknock College/Leinster)
Mark Roche (Blackrock College/Leinster)
Luke Satchwell (The King’s Hospital/Leinster)
Rory Scholes (Campbell College/Ulster)
Brian Scott (Presentation Brothers Cork/Munster)
Jerry Sexton (St Mary’s College/Leinster)
Christopher Taylor (Wallace High School/Ulster)
Gavin Thornbury (Blackrock College/Leinster)

Under 18 Club Squad
Liam Bourke (Navan/Leinster)
Kevin Burke (New Ross/Leinster)
Kieran Butler (New Ross/Leinster)
Adam Byrne (Naas/Leinster)
George Cullen (Exiles)
Stephen Dalton (Exiles)
Thomas Daly (Carlow/Leinster)
Jamie Dever (Westport/Connacht)
Ultan Dilane (Tralee/Munster)
Peter Dooley (Birr/Leinster)
Conor Fitzgibbon (Buccaneers/Connacht)
Tom Flynn (Exiles)
Cronan Gleeson (Nenagh/Munster)
Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers/Connacht)
Nathan Higgins (Exiles)
Conor Joyce (Exiles)
Akhlaque Khan (Navan/Leinster)
Jamie Kind (Sundays Well/Munster)
Jack Kingston (Sundays Well/Munster)
Jay Malcolm (Malone/Ulster)
Eoghan Masterson (Portlaoise/Leinster)
James McConnor (Dundalk/Leinster)
George McGuigan (Exiles)
Sean O’Brien (Galwegians/Connacht)
David O’Connell (Old Christians/Munster)
Shane O’Leary (Scarriff/Munster)
David Panter (Exiles)
Lee Steenson (Dromore/Ulster)
Eoin Stynes (Carlow/Leinster)
Cillian Walsh (Killarney/Munster)

Under 19 Squad
Callum Boland (Buccaneers/Connacht)
Shane Buckley (Garryowen/Munster)
Luke Cahill (Rockwell/Munster)
Jack Carty (Buccaneers/Connacht)
Jordan Coghlan (Clongowes Wood College/Leinster)
Jack Conan (St. Gerards School/Leinster)
Aaron Conneelly (Corinthians/Connacht)
Mark Corballis (St. Michaels/Leinster)
Barry Daly (Gonzaga/Leinster)
Brian Du Toit (The Kings Hospital School/Leinster)
Conor Finn (Cistercian College, Roscrea/Connacht)
Tadgh Furlong (Clontarf/Leinster)
Charles Gallagher (Campbell College/Ulster)
Conor Gilsenan (Clongowes Wood College/Leinster)
JJ Hanrahan (UL Bohemians/Munster)
Diarmuid Higgins (Gallen Community College/Connacht)
Ryan Jablonski (London Irish/ASSE/Exiles)
Conor Kindregan (Monivea/Connacht)
Shane Layden (Carrick on Shannon/Connacht)
Kieran Marmion (UWIC/Kirkham/Exiles)
Cathal Marsh (Bective Rangers/Leinster)
Kyle McCall (Ballynahinch/Ulster)
Des Merry (Clontarf/Leinster)
Brian Moylett (Landsdowne/Connacht)
Johnny Murphy (Banbridge/Ulster)
Stephen Murphy (Gonzaga/Leinster)
Peter Nelson (Royal School Dungannon/Ulster)
Sean O’Connell (Exiles)
Alan O’Connor (Institute of Education, Leeson Street/Leinster)
Darren O’Shea (Crosshaven/Cork Constitution/Munster)
Garrett O’Suilleabluian (UCC/Leinster)
Peter Reilly (Lansdowne/Castlenock/Leinster)
Niall Scannell (Dolphin/Munster)
Conor Spence (Queens University/Ulster)
Charlie Simpson (Newport/Ulster)

Following the recent announcement of Donncha O’Callaghan signing a new contract, O’Gara’s decision to stay in Ireland and play with Munster is further good news as the IRFU continue to look to retain players in the provincial teams.

Similar to his Munster colleague O’Callaghan, O’Gara’s career has seen him become the most capped player for Ireland and only the third player in Irish Rugby history to reach 100 caps.  He has won five triple crowns, one RBS Six Nations Championship and a Grand Slam in 2009 as well as two Heineken Cups with Munster during his career.  This has been augmented by his position as the record international points scorer for Ireland and also being selected for three British & Irish Lions tours.

Commenting on the announcement Ronan O’Gara said, “I am extremely happy with my new contract and to be continuing my career in Ireland.  I believe there is much more that I want and can achieve with both Ireland and Munster and am looking forward to concentrating on doing that over this season and the next two years.”

Ireland Coach Declan Kidney said, “I am delighted that Ronan has accepted a new two year contract and believe that his contribution to Irish and Munster Rugby will be as great as ever."

Munster Rugby Chief Executive Garrett Fitzgerald said, "The news that Ronan has extended his contract is extremely pleasing and comes at a very opportune time as we renew our Magners League campaign with the Heineken Cup to follow. Having a player of Ronan’s calibre and experience commit to Munster sends out a positive message and augers well for the future of Munster Rugby."

At a meeting of the IRFU Management Committee it was decided that clubs will only be asked for immediate payment for tickets they have sold for the Guinness Series. The IRFU will work with the Branches and the Clubs to assess the situation regarding unsold tickets with a view to reaching an equitable solution to this difficult problem.

It was further agreed that ticket allocations to Branches and Clubs for the 2011 RBS Six Nations matches will not be affected by sales of tickets for the Guinness Series.

Commenting, Philip Browne, Chief Executive, IRFU said:

“There has been slower than expected demand for this autumn’s Guinness Series.  There are a number of elements impacting on this situation since the sales structure was drawn up in March 2010, including a further significant deterioration in the economic climate.”
“While the situation varies from club to club we are aware that a number of clubs are still in possession of tickets for matches. In the interests of Irish Rugby, the IRFU, the Branches and the Clubs, must continue to work hard to sell these tickets right up to kick-off for each match.

“The IRFU do not want to see clubs suffer financial hardship as a result of being unable to sell ticket packages for this Guinness Series and consequently will only seek immediate payment for tickets sold. On completion of the series, the IRFU will  work with the Branches and Clubs to assess the effect of the reduced demand for tickets.

“In addition the IRFU will undertake a comprehensive review of its entire ticket sales strategy, which includes price tiering, bundling and distribution channels. As part of this review, which will commence immediately on completion of the Guinness Series, it will consult widely with its stakeholders.”

The Welsh native joined the Ireland coaching staff in 2008 with a renowned CV in the area of sports science and specifically rugby fitness having worked with the

Welsh U21 team and English Premiership side Harlequins, as well as acting as a consultant to various representative sides.  The IRFU will continue to use his expertise particularly regarding his research into the advancement of player longevity, injury prevention and high performance.
Philip Morrow, the current IRFU Head of Fitness, will now be taking on the role of the Ireland Team Strength and Conditioning Coach in the short to medium term, including the upcoming Guinness Series of games in November.

Commenting on his decision, Paul Pook said, “Although I’ve enjoyed two great years working with the national squad, management and provincial staff, I’ve been away from my wife and two young daughters for the majority of that time.  I felt it was time to step down given the fact I want to spend more time with my family and concentrate on developing a high performance training centre at my home in France, while writing a second edition of my book ‘Complete Conditioning for Rugby’.”
Ireland Coach Declan Kidney said, “I would like to thank Paul for his work during his time with the team.  The squad certainly benefitted from his experience and I am sure his knowledge will see him continue to be successful.  Myself and the rest of the management team wish him the very best for the future.”

The Play Rugby programme contains classroom plans and teaching aids to assist teachers, coaches and parents involved in rugby at mini and primary school level. The programme consists of full service packs that are delivered to schools through the network of IRFU Provincial Branch Community Rugby Officers and allows teachers who have no experience of rugby to bring the game to the children in their classes.

Play Rugby provides teachers and school children with session plans, video clips on how to play fun games, individual Play Rugby certificates for all members of the class and game cards that set out individual exercises and fun games for children. The origins of the Play Rugby programme are based on research that found participating in sports can have a healthy developmental impact on young children. These activities can promote co-operative play, teamwork and good sportsmanship, a key component in the ethos of rugby.

The Play Rugby programme also contains additional information for schools and clubs who would like to set up a girls rugby programme. Women’s Rugby has been targeted as a specific growth area for the game in Ireland and comes directly following the success of the Ireland Women’s team who achieved their highest ever ranking at the recent Rugby World Cup with seventh place.

All schools, teachers and parents interested in the programme are encouraged to visit the website at www.irishrugby.ie/playrugby  to review details of the programme. In addition to this, Community Rugby Officers in each of the four provinces will also be delivering Play Rugby packs to schools and clubs throughout September and any school or club interested in the programme should contact the IRFU Provincial Branches in Connacht, Leinster, Munster or Ulster.

“Play Rugby is a great way to introduce beginners to the game and also to continue the interest of those kids who may already be involved”, said Ireland and Leinster star Luke Fitzgerald. “I have always believed that the best way to get young children playing the game is to make it fun and Play Rugby certainly does that. I think it is also really important that it makes it easy for teachers, coaches and parents to organise the children to play these non contact games and get them running around and exercising in a fun way. It is these sort of programmes that sow the seeds for children to have a healthy respect for keeping active and also to play rugby.”