Gibbons and Kerr to coach Irish

STEVIE Gibbons has been appointed as head coach of Irish Students, with Wayne Kerr as his assistant.

The Roughyeds pair take on the job with a ringing endorsement from their club coach Tony Benson, who was instrumental in their rise from social rugby league in and around Dublin to the full Ireland squad for last year's World Cup in Australia.

“This is a massive development for rugby league in Ireland,” said Benson, “because Stevie and Wayne are the first two fully-fledged Irishmen to come through the Irish development system and go on to coaching.

“This is a huge breakthrough. Things are definitely moving forward over there.”

Gibbons is taking hold of an Irish Students’ training camp in Dublin before embarking on a Four Nations series, also featuring England, Wales and Scotland, which takes place in Bradford, running to April 10.

“These appointments are great for Irish rugby league, and great also for Stevie and Wayne,” Benson added.

“As head coach, Stevie will do well. He is an intelligent man with a good understanding of the game.

“And as far as the students are concerned, he and Wayne will be legends. Here are two true Irishmen who have come through the ranks via Irish Wolfhounds and Ireland ‘A’ to become members of a World Cup squad and to play professionally at a club like Oldham.

“They have been on tour to places like Russia and New Zealand and the young Irish students will see what they have achieved and will be keen to emulate them.”