14 Aug 2015

Sport: Englishman Damian McGrath appointed new Samoa sevens coach

12:59 pm on 14 August 2015

Damian McGrath has been appointed as Manu Samoa's new sevens coach for the next two years.

The Englishman comes to Samoa from the England sevens programme, having also worked for the Welsh Rugby Union.

He was selected by an independent panel and endorsed by the Samoa Rugby Board to replace Fuimaono Titimaea Tafua, beating out 28 other applicants from Samoa and abroad.

McGrath coached the Great Britain University Men's 7s team to Gold at the recent World Student Games in Brazil and was also an assistant coach with the England rugby league team at the turn of the century.

SRU Chief Executive Faleomavaega Vincent Fepuleai says McGrath's appointment is an opportunity for some much-needed invigoration of the country's sevens programme.

Faleomavaega says McGrath's experience as a leader, coach and innovative thinker will be a huge asset and they look forward to him helping Samoa to regain its place on the international stage.

Samoa and Fiji clash in pool play at the Hong Kong Sevens.

Samoa and Fiji clash in pool play at the Hong Kong Sevens. Photo: World Rugby / Martin Seras Lima

McGrath himself says he's very honored to be selected to be part of the future of Samoan Rugby and is excited to work with the high quality players that Samoa produces.