London Irish Amateur Rugby Football Club are privileged to announce our Wild Geese coaches for season 2022/2023. Working under Sean O'Brien as Technical Director of Rugby, Ryan Gregory will take the position of head coach and forwards working with Hugh O'Sullivan, Paddy Jackson, Matt Cornish and Willie Lafolafo.

Want to join the team or find out more (Click Here). Or come down to pre season training commences Tuesday 5th July, 7:30 - Hazelwood, Sunbury, Tw16 6QU

Ryan Gregory - Head & Forwards Coach

Ryan is hugely excited to be joining London Irish amateurs and is honoured to be taking up the role of Head Coach. The chance of working with the club, the current crop of players and the newly formed, incredible team of coaches was just too good an opportunity to miss.

Ryan has 8 years of coaching experience at level 6 with both Chobham and Camberley and knows what it takes to be successful at this level. Ryan is relishing the challenge of helping LI get back to where they belong.

Having played his rugby across both the second and back rows at Ealing, Canterbury and Bracknell in the national leagues and St Mary’s university before that, Ryan will also be forwards coaching as part of his head coach role.

Hugh O’Sullivan - Backs & Skills Coach

Hugh is a scrum-half who is currently playing professional rugby with London Irish. He attended Belvedere College S.J. in Dublin, winning back-to-back Leinster Schools Senior Cup medals in 2016 and 2017. From there he entered the Leinster academy and represented Ireland u20 during the 2018 Six Nations and World Rugby Under 20 Championship.

He made his senior debut with Leinster in 2018 and graduated to the club’s senior rugby squad for the 2019/2020 season. He went on to make 30 senior appearances for the club before joining London Irish for the beginning of the 2021/2022 season. He is a young coach who is keen to learn and is looking forward to his first opportunity to coach a men’s senior rugby team.

Paddy Jackson - Attack & Skills

Paddy is an Out-half who plays professional rugby for London Irish. He has previously played rugby for Ulster, Ireland, Perpignan and is now entering his 4th season with London Irish. Paddy joined the Wild Geese coaching team towards the end of last season and is delighted to be a part of the coaching team again this year.

“I’m really looking forward to getting to know the players and coaches better this season and am excited at the prospect of where we can take this Wild Geese squad! Hazelwood is a fantastic home of rugby in South West London and if we can form a tighter relationship between the Amateur and Professional set up that will be an added bonus!”

Matt Cornish - Scrum Coach

Matt is playing professionally as a hooker at London Irish. He started his professional career at Ealing Trailfinders at the age of 18. Matt has played multiple seasons with both Ealing (4 Years, 93 Appearances) and London Irish (3 Seasons, 45+ Appearances).

“I am looking forward to joining the coaching team at Wild Geese as I have a past there already and I’m excited to see what we can achieve.”

Willie Lafolafo - Strength & Conditioning

After several standout seasons playing for the back row for the Wild Geese, Will Lafolafo expands on his playing role by taking on Strength & Conditioning coaching duties for the side. Will has a decorated playing history, including the famous Randwick club in Sydney and more recently playing Professional Rugby League in France prior to joining the Geese in 2019. Alongside this, Will has built up a career in the strength and conditioning industry and his work in some of the best gyms in both hemispheres has earned him a reputation for being a stellar coach.

The London Irish Wild Geese are an ambitious, highly motivated group of lads currently playing in Thames 2. Utilising the international grade facilities at Hazelwood the Home of London Irish, we would like to hear from ambitious, talented players who want to join our rugby journey at one of the most famous names in club rugby.

To join us, you can email Chair of men's rugby (Click Here). Or go to the website www.liarfc.co.uk where you can find all the information you need.

London Irish Amateur Rugby Football Club are now actively recruiting players, non playing and overseas members in all sections; boys, girls, men's and women from Under 5 to veteran. Why not come down and to Hazelwood, Sunbury where you will receive a warm welcome.