BOULDER, Colo. – Following USA Rugby’s High Performance meeting in Boulder, the new U.S. Men’s National Team Coach, Eddie O’Sullivan, has officially named his support staff today.

The staff includes five former Eagles and decades of American coaching experience at various levels.

“A significant aspect of my role as head coach is to bring American coaches in to the program to secure some succession planning for the future,” O’Sullivan said. “All of the people named to the staff are extremely talented and understand the American rugby landscape. There is much to be done and I look forward to working with them immediately.”

Fortunately, a few of the coaches are based near or out of the Boulder-based national office, including Denver Barbarians Coach and former Eagle captain David Hodges, who has officially been named the Eagles forwards coach. USA Rugby’s National Age-Grade Program Director, Matt Sherman, will take over the role as the Eagles backs coach, while USA Rugby Competitions Director and San Diego State University coach Dan Payne will fill the role as skills coach.

New York Athletic Club and Xavier High School’s rugby coach Mike Tolkin will serve as the defensive specialist, while former Eagles prop Bill LeClerc will stay on as the Eagles scrum coach.

Long-time Eagles manager Tristan Lewis has been brought back into the Men’s National Team program, following his stint with the USA Women’s Sevens Team, and, as expected, David Williams will continue to serve as the Strength and Conditioning Coach for all National Teams, including the Eagles.

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