Anscombe confirmed as Canada coach

Rugby Canada today confirmed that Mark Anscombe has been appointed as Head Coach of the National Senior Men’s Team, signing a contract to lead the team through to the 2019 World Cup in Japan. The former Ulster and Auckland supremo has yet to arrive in country and is targeting May 1st for the official start of his new role. In a conference call with media Anscombe conceded he had not visited Canada before. “I spent a season playing with OMBAC in California, so that’s the closest I’ve been.”

Originally from Taranaki, New Zealand, Anscombe moved to Auckland at a young age and played as a flanker before moving into coaching at Old Wesley in Ireland. His professional coaching career began with English club Moseley in 1996, where his charges would include former Canadian captain Al Charron. After graduating through the Auckland Blues system he accepted an Assistant Coach position with North Harbour, and landed the Head Coaching role at Northland two years later. Three years with the Taniwhas was followed by four at the helm of Auckland’s provincial side while also leading New Zealand’s u20 side to a world title in 2011.

The 59-year-old was last seen in a major coaching role with Irish province Ulster, who he led for two seasons starting in 2012. Ulster reached the Guinness Pro 12 final in his first season in charge and the semi-final in his second, and also achieved quarter-final finishes in the Heineken Cup in each year. He has not held a professional coaching role since departing Ireland in June 2014.

Anscombe replaces departed coach Kieran Crowley, who resigned in January following a disappointing World Cup campaign. National Senior Women’s Head Coach François Ratier led the side in an interim capacity during the Americas Rugby Championship, where Canada would finish in third place with a 3-2 record. Crowley has since moved to Italy where he will coach Benetton Treviso in the 2016-17 Guinness Pro 12 season.

Rugby Canada are also seeking to fill Backs Coach and Performance Analyst roles immediately with further positions to be added in the future as deemed required. Canada are currently in 18th on the official World Rugby rankings, and will next be in action in June when they host Japan, Russia, and Italy.

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Formally created in June 2015, this website's goal is to increase media exposure of the Tier 2 rugby nations, and create a hub with a focus on the stories of rugby in the Americas - North, Central and South.

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