Benson in new Irish role

Coach Tony Benson: helping Irish

ROUGHYEDS ROUND UP:

Roughyeds boss to assist seniors
TONY BENSON is looking forward to a new international challenge.

The Roughyeds coach has been appointed as assistant coach of the senior Ireland Wolfhounds side, where he will work alongside former Wakefield and Dewsbury boss Andy Kelly — the man who masterminded the Emerald Isle's famous 34-16 win over Samoa in the World Cup of 2008 in Australia.

"It is really exciting," said Benson, a former Junior Kiwis coach who replaces ex-Oldham and Great Britain test forward Barrie McDermott in the role as a result of his other commitments.

"I have been working with Ireland since 2006, where my mandate originally was to develop local players in time for the World Cup.

"We took an Irish residents team on tour to New Zealand and I also coached the 'A' team in the Four Nations tournament.

"I enjoy it as it is a different type of coaching. Working short-term is very different to club coaching and seeing what other people do helps to keep you up to date with the latest methods.

"I get on with Andy (Kelly) really well and he is a good bloke."

The first taste of senior international action for Benson arrives with the European Cup later this year.

Ireland, who are likely to field Oldham's prop forward Wayne Kerr and possibly ex-Roughyeds hooker Stevie Gibbons, face an away date in France on Saturday, October 9.

A week later attentions turn to a trip to play Wales, before the visit of Scotland in a further seven days' time.