New coaching approach for forwards

11:45am Sunday 15th June 2008

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The Fylde forwards will be receiving specialist coaching next season, after director of rugby Mark Nelson took the revolutionary step of appointing a group of consultants.

Nelson has added Pete Anglesea to oversee the drive, ruck and fringe defence, James Wade to look after the line out and restart, and Matt Filipo for the scrummage.

Nelson said: "The game is moving forward rapidly at all levels and techniques and modern strategies are becoming an integral part of the game, and the improvement of players and units within the team is vitally important to success, particularly with the new law variations."

The triumvirate of coaches will be Pete Anglesea, a former England 'A' coach, and Sale Sharks former captain, who is currently working within the elite sharks coaching staff.

James Wade is the current Sale Academy manager and Jets and skills coach, and is also the Scotland senior hooker coach.

Matt Filipo is known throughout Fylde as a prop of a great knowledge and experience and will complete the trio.

Nelson added: "The specialist coaches will implement technique and attitude into our pack and provide the expertise we need to take our squad forward.

"There is enough intelligence and leadership within the pack to respond and deliver the ideas and disciplines that Pete, James and Matt will bring to the party.

"Player empowerment at the club level has always been an important component of my coaching philosophy. I intend to have a similar approach with the backs and general team strategy for the new season.

"We have intelligent and quality players in key positions and want to maximise the ownership element of how the team play."