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How the Russians may have helped Manchester
18/ 7/2007
Russian rugby may have inadvertently provided a boost for Manchester Rugby Club next season.
Manchester's director of rugby Dave Baldwin (pictured) travelled to Russia as a coach with England Counties, along with Manchester centre Scott Rawlings.
Winning two out of three matches, including a 23-21 victory over the national Russia side, Baldwin believes the tour has benefitted himself and Counties player Rawlings.
"As a coach you are pitting your wits against different styles of play and against opposition you don't know much about," Baldwin explained. "Scott did very well, he is on a learning curve.
"It is a big step to go there, to play alongside quality players and see how other players develop their play or react to situations.
"I was surprised by the quality of the opposition in Russia, all the England players gained a massive amount."
After returning from the tour the England Counties coaches discovered they would be facing Russia's national side again sooner than expected - at the FIRA/AER festival in South West France in September.
The French competition will involve five teams - England, Russia, Spain, France and Belgium - with England Counties taking on Russia, France and Spain.
The team utilised by Counties will differ, however, to the tour party. This time players will come exclusively from National Two sides, and not be recruited from National One teams.
Coaching England Counties has given Baldwin an insight into the advantages of intensive training and back-up in the form of diet plans, fitness, medical and physio staff.
At Manchester Rugby Club Baldwin has employed Sale Sharks conditioner Scott Pearson to bring new ideas to the club and provide, as Baldwin described it: 'a professional edge'.
Pre-season training is currently taking place four times a week, they have a new backs coach, former player Steve Swindells, and the club are currently looking to secure some new signings.
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