Noel McNamara: 'I am very much an accidental rugby coach'

Former Ireland U20 coach Noel McNamara on life in South Africa with the Sharks and why the development pathways” and holistic work conducted by IRFU performance director David Nucifora is key to the success of the Irish provinces.

Fri, 04 Mar, 2022 - 06:45

Craig Lewis

Due to unforeseen circumstances, former Ireland U20 coach Noel McNamara could have been forgiven for initially having second thoughts about his decision to join up with South African rugby team the Sharks last year.

To put this in context, it was not long after McNamara had signed a two-year contract as an assistant coach that a groundswell of political unrest broke out across the province of KwaZulu-Natal, where the Sharks are based.