If I see players smile, I’m happy

Coach to coach

Steve Hill talks to former Wales flanker Lyn Jones, below, head coach of the Netherlands

What was your playing background and how did you get into coaching rugby?

I played and initially coached as an amateur. I played nearly 400 games; 200 for Neath RFC, more than 140 games for Llanelli and then to Treorchy. I also had a season at Vail in the Rockies USA. One of my favourite memories was playing for Neath at home against Rosslyn Park. With six minutes to go we were nine points up. In those nine minutes Andy Ripley stole two lineouts in their 22m area which resulted in two length of field tries for Park, the second one by an 18-year-old winger called Martin Offiah – what ever happened to him?

I got into coaching because I was frustrated as a player. I always asked ‘why?’ and sadly the answer too often was because that is the way we have always done it. My dream was to coach the British Lions rather than play for them.

Who and where have you previously coached?

Neath RFC (1995-2003) Gwent Dragons (2008) Abu Dhabi (2009-2011) London Welsh (2011-2013) Dragons (2013-2016) Namibia (2017-2018) Russia (2018-2021) Netherlands 2022-present).

To whom/where did you look for inspiration/knowledge as a developing coach?

I was coached by an Australian Geoff Mould while in the States. I learned more about rugby in two hours from him than in my first 15 years. He gave me a paradigm shifting moment. He helped me realise how simple and effective the game could be. He coached the Aussie Schools team that introduced the three Ella brothers to the rugby world who stuffed Wales U19 by 30 points – when 30 points was 30 points!

Where was your most enjoyable coaching tenure and why?

I have thoroughly enjoyed coaching all teams I’ve been associated with. Highlights would include, in 2013, London Welsh beating Bath, Sale, Exeter, London Irish and Worcester in the Premiership when we had no right to win any games. That was a special year, I learnt so much. Also taking on the development of a British private school rugby programme in Abu Dhabi still makes me happy. We changed rugby in Abu Dhabi and within 16 months the school won the Dubai 7s U18 schools 7-a-side trophy.

If you were appointing a head coach at a club today what are the key attributes you would be looking for?

Appointing a head coach comes with huge responsibility. Get it wrong and your business freezes for a year or at least until you can move the unsuitable employee on. Always work out the person’s character before personality or anything else, No matter who you appoint as coach, make sure he has a mentor, one ideally without an ego.

As a coach when was the day when you thought ‘yes, this is why I do this?’

Whenever I come off the field and see players smile. I know I have done a good job if I have helped young lads improve by 1 per cent. As a high performance coach that day was taking the Dragons in 2015 to beat Leinster in Dublin when Leinster never lost and still don’t lose at home – that is the last time a Welsh region beat Leinster away!

As a head coach what aspects of the game would you change to make it a better experience for either yourself or your players?

Drop the ‘salary cap‘ for players and replace it with a ‘salary cap’ for administrators and assistant coaches – both get paid way too much money. It frees up more cash to pay players more. Have a cap also on how much each club can pay agents. ‘Joe public’ needs to realise how much cash is being spent. Players can be led to clubs who pay most commission. Separate Professional laws from Amateur laws, the game is way too fast for players who play for enjoyment. More mauls and more scrums and allow an occasional fight.

What advice would you give to anyone considering or just getting involved in coaching rugby?

Keep reflecting on your performance. Attend all or any professional development courses you can, keep up to speed. Know the laws inside out. Remember to put players first, you serve them, not them serve you

A challenging task but can you name a starting XV from the players you have coached and their clubs at the time.

15. Lee Byrne (Ospreys) 14. German Davydov (Russia) 13. Allan Glen Bateman (Neath) 12. Leigh Davies (Neath) 11. Shane Williams (Ospreys) 10. Gordon Ross (London Welsh) 9. Jason Spice (Ospreys) 1. Darren Morris (Neath) 2. Barry Williams (c) (Ospreys) 3. Kiril Gotostev (Russia) 4. Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys) 5. Koen Bloemen (Netherlands) 6. Tagir Gadzhiev (Russia) 7. Marty Holah (Ospreys) 8. Toby Faletau (Dragons)