Former Hull player and coach Lee Radford joins American rugby union side Dallas Jackals

THE success of erstwhile colleagues, such as Sean Long, Paul Deacon and Mike Forshaw, in switching to rugby union coaching is one reason former Hull FC chief Lee Radford was so keen to take up an exciting new opportunity with Dallas Jackals.
Lee Radford Hull FC coach   at the clubs media day at the  Tribal Bar and Grill in Hull.Lee Radford Hull FC coach   at the clubs media day at the  Tribal Bar and Grill in Hull.
Lee Radford Hull FC coach at the clubs media day at the Tribal Bar and Grill in Hull.

The news that the dyed-in-the-wool rugby league man will switch codes to become defensive coach of the new franchise in North American’s Major Rugby League may have come as a surprise to many.

However, since the legendary Hull figure lost his job with his beloved Black and Whites in March, moving to the 15-man game was an obvious option.

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Unfortunately, there are not many opportunities for unemployed Super League head coaches of his experience in the 13-man code but the path to union is a well-trodden one: just perhaps not in the States.

Radford’s former Bradford Bulls team-mates Deacon and Forshaw coach at Sale Sharks while former Hull colleagues Sean Long (Harlequins) and Martin Gleeson (Wasps) are also in the Premiership.

“There is a high opinion of coaches making that transition and the fact some have had real success, it does just make this all the more appetising,” he told The Yorkshire Post, with Ireland head coach Andy Farrell one who has truly excelled.

“I went across to Sale last year to have a look at their set-up and I’ll be touching base with Forsh’ again. I’ve spoken to Longy, Gleese and there’ll be people like Clive Griffiths who was at Doncaster Knights, and Dave Ellis who was France defence coach. I’ll be picking their brains doing their heads in on the phone. Cookey’s another (Paul Cooke). I’m not going to Dallas until November so hopefully when a bit of normality comes back I can get to some clubs and see how they’re doing things.”

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The chance to start up in the US stemmed from a meeting with former Ireland international Allen Clarke, who is the sporting director of the Jackals franchise that launches in 2021. Radford explained: “He was coaching Ospreys last season and came up to Hull with his assistant to mirror us for a week. He took some notes and had a look at how we were doing things to take back with him to the Ospreys.

Leeds Rhino's Liam Sutcliffe tackles Hull Fc Gareth Ellis during the Betfred Super League match at Emerald Headingley Stadium, Leeds. PA Photo. Picture date: Sunday February 2, 2020. See PA story RUGBYU Leeds. Photo credit should read: Richard Sellers/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Editorial use only. No commercial use. No false commercial association. No video emulation. No manipulation of images.Leeds Rhino's Liam Sutcliffe tackles Hull Fc Gareth Ellis during the Betfred Super League match at Emerald Headingley Stadium, Leeds. PA Photo. Picture date: Sunday February 2, 2020. See PA story RUGBYU Leeds. Photo credit should read: Richard Sellers/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Editorial use only. No commercial use. No false commercial association. No video emulation. No manipulation of images.
Leeds Rhino's Liam Sutcliffe tackles Hull Fc Gareth Ellis during the Betfred Super League match at Emerald Headingley Stadium, Leeds. PA Photo. Picture date: Sunday February 2, 2020. See PA story RUGBYU Leeds. Photo credit should read: Richard Sellers/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Editorial use only. No commercial use. No false commercial association. No video emulation. No manipulation of images.

“Halfway through their season he was made redundant and I got in touch with him. Likewise, when I got my P45 he did the same as well. Then I messaged him out of the blue and said when Covid dies down I’d like to pick his brains on some of the details of union as it’s a direction I probably want to go in.

“He rang back and said he could do one better as he’d taken a sporting directorship role at Dallas and was looking for a defence coach. There was genuine excitement. Butterflies. I snapped his hand off.”

Since starting in 2018, Major League Rugby continues to grow, illustrated by news this week former England captain Chris Robshaw will play for San Diego Legion next year. Radford, 41, said: “It’s likened to football, as when Zlatan Ibrahimovic played (for LA Galaxy) next to a striker who’s not as recognised.

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“(Former All Blacks) Ma’a Nonu and Rene Ranger are playing out there, there’s some real world-class operators with probably a lot of local players who aren’t household names.

“It’s chalk and cheese for me – I’m leaving a club with 150 plus years of heritage to a new franchise. But it’s a chance to build a foundation for it to be a success. Hopefully that’s what, as a coaching staff, we can do.”

Radford’s family will remain in Hull with both his sons Logan and Brad on FC’s books.

He said: “I’ll come home for Christmas and they’ll come out in the year. It’s only a 16-week season which is just alien to me! And there’s two byes in there as well. But it is exciting.”

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