Double signing at Wasps
June 09 2009
England's World Cup-winning prop Trevor Woodman has been confirmed as Forwards Coach in the new-look Wasps management team, with Jason Hobson joining the playing ranks.
Woodman, 32, is joined at Wasps by Gaelic football coach John McCloskey who has been appointed in the new role of Skills Coach.
Both men have signed two-year deals to work alongside Wasps' new Director of Rugby Tony Hanks and Head Coach Shaun Edwards.
Woodman entered coaching with Sydney University in 2006 after a back injury had forced him to retire from playing at the age of 29 and he made an immediate impact in the city's club competition.
The Australian Rugby Union last year offered Woodman the role of national scrum coach, which saw him working with the Wallabies and at Super 14 level.
But Woodman admitted he could not turn down the opportunity to coach in the Guinness Premiership.
"I am really looking forward to coming back to the UK and taking on a role with a club that stands as one of the most successful in English rugby," said Woodman, who played for Gloucester, Bath and Sale.
"The club is at the beginning of it's next chapter and working alongside great coaches in Tony Hanks and Shaun Edwards you can sense the determination and the desire to make this season a success from the off.
"Taking on the role of forwards coach, I will have the opportunity to join forces with some of the most respected names in the game with the likes of Phil Vickery and Simon Shaw, two of my former England team-mates."
Meanwhile, the club have also announced the signing of Bristol tighthead prop Hobson, who joins the Adams Park outfit on a two-year deal.
Hobson, who was capped by England on the 2008 summer tour of New Zealand, follows number eight Dan Ward-Smith and winger David Lemi in swapping relegated Bristol for Wasps.
"Wasps is a great club and for me this is a fantastic opportunity to train and play with some of the best in the business," Hobson said.
"There is no denying their success over the years and, having met a few of the lads and the coaches already, you can sense that all eyes are on a strong season.
"With Tony Hanks, Shaun Edwards and Trevor Woodman now on board I am really looking forward to just getting stuck in and hopefully helping be part of what will be a great year for the club."
Hobson underwent surgery on a disc problem in January but he is now back to full fitness and ready to join Wasps in pre-season training, with Hanks keen to have him on board.
"Jason is a highly promising prop who, despite injury struggles, has still been in the mix on the international scene having been capped by England," he said.