Rugby: Sacking McGurn could prompt mass walkout

A KEY member of the Irish coaching staff has indicated he will resign in protest if fitness coach Mike McGurn is sacked following comments he made in a newspaper interview this week.

And it is feared in some quarters that the entire Irish backroom staff could resign en masse in support of their colleague if he is forced from his job in the coming weeks.

McGurn, a former Fermanagh footballer and 5,000m runner for Ireland, stated earlier in the week that many of Ireland’s players were only operating at 60-70% fitness during the World Cup and that he needed to have full control over international players all year round, not just when there were in camp with Ireland.

“We need a fitness revolution in Irish rugby,” McGurn stated in the interview. “Previously we have had to work under the realms of the provinces and then myself.

"But the way forward for Eddie O’Sullivan and myself is to have total autonomy of the national players. That means I will be controlling all aspects of fitness and strength for the next four years.”

McGurn’s views have no doubt irked the four provincial fitness coaches and IRFU National Fitness Director, Dr Liam Hennessey.

As a result of his comments, the former St Helen’s rugby league fitness coach, who joined the Irish set-up in January 2002, has been summoned to Dublin from holiday in Australia to defend his remarks in front of the IRFU.

Should McGurn pay the ultimate price, there will no doubt be massive repercussions.

The coach is known to have the total respect of all in the Irish squad and they, no doubt, will be hugely unhappy if he is dismissed.

Over the past number of months, numerous players have cited the influence McGurn has had on fitness levels in the squad, and the Fermanagh man is widely regarded throughout Europe as one of the best in the business.

It had been reported earlier this month that McGurn was on his way to either Leicester or Sale in the Zurich Premiership, but he has recently agreed a deal in principle with the IRFU to stay in his current position with the Irish squad for the next four years.