Jebel Ali Dragons coach Henry Paul reconnects with friend Kingsley Jones to help out Canada

Matt Jones - Editor 16:34 11/02/2018
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  • Henry Paul has left Jebel Ali Dragons to take up a role with Canada.

    As a player, he represented England in several Six Nations tournaments – now Henry Paul is coaching in a tournament dubbed the ‘Americas Six Nations’.

    New Zealander Paul played international rugby league for the country of his birth and rugby union for the Red Rose, having qualified via a grandfather born in Liverpool as well as England being where he spent the majority of his playing career – in league with Wigan Warriors and the Bradford Bulls and in union with Gloucester.

    The 44-year-old now lives in the UAE where he is head coach of Jebel Ali Dragons and director of rugby at Kings Al Barsha School in Dubai.

    Right now though he’s in America, helping to coach Canada in the America’s Rugby Championship (ARC), having been drafted in by good friend and former Wales international Kingsley Jones, who was appointed Canada’s head coach in September.

    The 2018 Americas Rugby Championship is in its third edition, and features Canada and the United States as well as South American countries Brazil, Uruguay, Chile and an Argentina XV side, the Pumas’ secondary national team.

    Paul and Jones – who earned 10 Welsh caps between 1996-98 before injury curtailed his international career – worked together at Russia, with the duo steering the Bears to their maiden Rugby World Cup appearance in 2011.

    “Kingsley has been Canada coach since September last year so he’s new to the role,” said Paul, speaking ahead of the Canucks’ second 2018 ARC game against the US on Saturday.

    “I have been asked to assist Canada in the Americas Rugby Championship. I’m assisting Kingsley for the next four games v the US, Brazil, Argentina and Chile.

    “We work well together and have always bounced ideas off each other. He asked if I was available, I asked the school about the possibility and they were 100 percent ‘go for it’.

    Former Wales international Kingsley Jones and Paul took Russia to the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

    “They’ve been in camp four weeks already so needed a new coach for the next four weeks. I worked with Kingsley during my time with Russia and he put my name forward to be their sevens head coach back in 2012.

    “I’ve only been in camp a few days but the players and management have been very welcoming. There is a lot of young talent so it’s an exciting role but it will be tricky for us.”

    Canada lost Saturday’s game 29-10 to the US in Sacramento, California, making it two defeats to start the ARC following a loss against Uruguay in their opener on January 27.

    Former Wales international Kingsley Jones and Paul took Russia to the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

    That 38-29 defeat came at their home of BC Place in Vancouver, home of the MLS team the Vancouver Whitecaps and the BC Lions of the Canadian Football league.

    It also served as the first leg of the 2019 Rugby World Cup qualification for the Americas’ region. Canada lost the second leg 32-31 a week later as Uruguay progressed to Japan, although Canada will have one final chance to earn a spot at a round robin Repechage tournament in November.

    In the ARC, meanwhile, Canada have three games remaining and Jones and Paul will hope to finish with a flourish as they host Brazil in their next game at Westhills Stadium in Langford, British Columbia, on Saturday.

    They close the tournament with two road games, taking on Argentina in Jujuy on February 24 and Chile in La Serena on March 3.

    As well as boosting his coaching repertoire, Paul insists Kings and Dragons are both behind him, even though it means being away from his coaching duties in the Emirates.

    Paul will be back to take charge of Dragons in what could be a crucial game at Bahrain in the West Asia Premiership’s final round of fixtures on March 9.

    Paul making his England debut against France in the 2002 Six Nations.

    Paul added: “It is an honour and privilege to represent Canada and gives me great experience, as well as for Kings Al Barsha where I’m director of rugby and for Dragons leading into the business end of the season, when I’m back before the Bahrain game.

    “It is also a great chance for Andy Buist and Jonny MacDonald to develop their own coaching experience while I’m away as they lead the boys against Dubai Eagles, Abu Dhabi Saracens and Dubai Hurricanes.

    “I’m fortunate the principal at Kings sees the value in what I would gain from this for the benefit of the schools’ rugby programme and also the Dragons, especially our club sponsors Hesco, who were made up for me as it’s an honour for the club I’m here.”

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