The Roar
The Roar

Advertisement

Eddie Jones recruits Storm assistant Jason Ryles for England rugby coaching set-up

20th January, 2020
Advertisement
Eddie Jones (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
20th January, 2020
23
1004 Reads

Melbourne assistant Jason Ryles will make his role with England rugby union permanent, leaving the Storm at the end of the 2020 NRL season to join coach Eddie Jones.

Ryles has been a regular visitor in the England camp over the past three years at the invitation of Jones, running skills sessions with a focus on tackling techniques.

Jones has long picked the brains of Australian rugby league coaches, calling on Ricky Stuart during last year’s Rugby World Cup in Japan.

The 41-year-old former international league prop has decided to accept a full-time role as skills coach under former Wallabies mentor Jones.

Ryles thanked the Storm, particularly coach Craig Bellamy, and said he was excited about a new challenge at the end of the season.

“I am really excited about the opportunity to work in a world-class program with the England national team and someone like Eddie, with his experience, is very appealing for me,” Ryles said in a statement.

“Linking with the England rugby team is going to be a new challenge but, first, we have a new NRL season to look forward to.”

Jones felt Ryles’ experience would benefit the England set-up, especially around the ruck.

Advertisement

“He has worked intermittently with us over the last few years so has a good awareness of the set-up,” Jones said.

“He comes from a rugby league background and we feel what he can offer as a coach, particularly with the forwards around the ruck, will help us with the way the game is going.”

Ryles joined the Storm from the Sydney Roosters as a player in 2012 and tallied 47 games across two seasons with Melbourne before retiring at the end of 2013.

He returned as an assistant coach in 2016 and helped the Storm to the 2017 premiership, two other grand-final appearances and last season’s minor premiership.

Storm football manager Frank Ponissi said during his four seasons, Ryles had developed into an “impressive coach”.

He was linked last year with the Newcastle vacancy before ruling himself out of the running.

“We respect his decision to accept such a unique opportunity to further his coaching abroad with an international team,” Ponissi said.

Advertisement

“He has been a key, respected and popular member of our coaching team and has impressed everyone here with his tactical knowledge and work ethic, as well as his passion to continually get better.”

© AAP

close