Williams takes on new role at Albion

By Mark Stevens
21/1/20

Plymouth Albion have turned to Exeter Chiefs and England tight head Harry Williams as the man to replace Carl Rimmer as their new scrum coach.

Former Chief Rimmer announced earlier this week that he was leaving the Brickfields, but head coach James Scaysbrook has wasted no time in finding a replacement by turning to his 28-year-old former Exeter team-mate.

Williams is still very much a key man at Sandy Park and his form for the club has led to him being called up by England, where he will could well feature in the forthcoming Six Nations Championship.

But while he may not be at the Brickfields as much as Albion would have liked, due to his international commitments, he will be taking a close look at they operate at the scrum and hope to make it better.

“Carl Rimmer was working here but, for one reason or another, he stepped down as he couldn’t do it any more. It led to a bit of an opening,” Williams said. “I have done a bit of coaching in my time, nothing as good as this level, but I got the offer and see it as a real opportunity. I am very excited about the upcoming games, it is a great opportunity.”

Working alongside Scaysbrook and current Exeter team-mate Gareth Steenson, who oversees Plymouth’s attack, Williams - who has previously coached at Cullompton RFC - aims to add to his coaching experience with Albion, who currently sit ninth in National League One.

Williams added: “If I am away, then it will be difficult as I can’t be here in person. But I will look at the clips online when they get sent through and I will have my input with them, I will speak to the front rowers primarily, if there are any points they want to go over with me.

“If I am about, then I will be down there as much as I can and try and input that way.”

The talented tight-head joined the Chiefs in the summer of 2015 after impressing director of rugby Rob Baxter whilst playing for Jersey in the Championship. Since then, he has become a key figure in the Exeter front-row, amassing 95 appearances for the Premiership club.

His on-field efforts for the Devon club have also seen him rewarded by England head coach Eddie Jones, who has handed his 18 caps since making his Test debut against Argentina on the summer tour of 2017.

Having worked under respected Chiefs’ coaches Baxter and Rob Hunter, together with some of the best in the business within the England set-up, Williams will hope to use the experience he has gained to pass on now he is coaching at Albion.

“I wouldn’t say it is about expressing my style, my main focus will be on the scrum, so that’s my responsibility and I will try and put my philosophy onto the team,” he said.

“I think they are going to do some contact work at the break down, that sort of thing, so it’s not really trying to put my impression on the team, but following what James (Scaysbrook) wants, what he wants his team to look like and helping him out as best we can.”