Lead Athletic Development Coach, Men's U20's

The IRFU are inviting applications for the role of Lead Athletic Development Coach, U20s.

The Lead Athletic Development Coach, Men's U20's will lead athletic development for the Ireland Men's U20's. Designing and delivering the athletic development and sport science support for our players during National Camps, on set dates throughout November & December 2026 and into January & February 2027 & during Competition windows including the U20's Men's Six Nations 2027 and the Junior World Cup 2027 . This is a part-time role of approximately 100 days on 1 year fixed term contract basis. 

The closing date for applications is Friday 23rd October 2026.

The IRFU is an equal opportunities employer

ROLE AND PURPOSE:

You will lead athletic development for the Ireland Men's U20s, designing and delivering the athletic development and sport science support for our players during National Camps & Competition windows. This is a part-time role of approximately 100 days a year.

• Prepare our players physically to perform at their best in every U20s camp and campaign.


• Build and support the development of the physical qualities our players need to thrive in the professional game.


• Ensure each camp and campaign supports player development, working as one team with national and provincial staff.


• Work closely with provincial performance staff to support the successful transition of players in and out of camp.


• Give players, coaches and provinces clear, reliable data and insights to guide their decisions.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS:

Operationally and Functionally: Head of Athletic Performance & Science, IRFU

Working Relationships

• Ireland Men's U20s rugby, medical, nutrition, psychology and athletic development staff


• Provincial Heads of Athletic Performance, Academy Managers, rugby coaches, and performance support staff


• Provincial Lead Academy, Pathway Athletic Development Coaches, rugby coaches, and performance support staff

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

PROGRAMME DESIGN & DELIVERY

• Design and deliver the U20s athletic development programme for each camp and campaign, including training, recovery and match preparation.


• Aligned to the province, individualise each player's programme to their athletic profile and development needs.


• Coach our players directly in the gym and on the pitch.

CONNECTION & ALIGNMENT

• Build a thorough understanding of each provincial academy and pathway: structures, staff, programme content and channels of communication.


• Liaise with provincial athletic development staff before and after each assembly to keep every player's programme aligned.


• Work with rugby, medical, nutrition and psychology staff to implement player development plans.

TESTING, MONITORING & DATA

• Implement athletic performance testing, training and game-time monitoring in-line with IRFU National Standards.


• Run daily player monitoring and raise any welfare concerns promptly with the relevant staff.


• Record, collate and report U20s training, testing and game-time data.


• Share player profiles and data visualisations with our players and coaches.

We are One Team. Our players' success is shared, so you will live our ‘We Not Me’ approach every day.

• Every player in the U20s squad has a player development plan aligned with their province's programme.


• Testing and monitoring are completed for every camp and campaign, to IRFU National Standards and on schedule.


• Provincial staff receive clear, timely data and communication on each player's training, testing and game time.


• National and provincial colleagues see the U20s athletic development programme as joined up and well communicated in the end-of-season review.

PERSON SPECIFICATION:

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA:

• Degree or Higher National Diploma in physical education, human movement, or exercise and sports science.


• At least three years in an athletic performance (strength and conditioning) role in elite or professional rugby. Candidates from other elite sports may be considered.


• Applied knowledge of the physical, psychological, technical and tactical demands of rugby.


• Experience profiling and screening athletic qualities to inform individual programmes.


• Proven coaching and programming of general and rugby-specific strength and power.


• Proven coaching and programming of speed: plyometrics, linear speed and multidirectional speed, integrated with rugby movement skills.


• Proven coaching and programming of rugby-specific conditioning, integrated within rugby training.


• Proven programming for injury risk reduction and return to play.


• Proven planning of recovery and regeneration.


• Evidence of working in an interdisciplinary team and sharing responsibility for player development.

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA:

• Postgraduate degree (MSc or PhD) in physical education, human movement, or exercise and sports science.


• Recognised strength and conditioning certification (e.g. NSCA, UKSCA, ASCA).


• Experience working with developmental players on an elite player pathway.


• Experience collecting and managing GPS data.


• Experience in player monitoring and workload management.


• Recognised First Aid and CPR certification.