Easter seals Sharks return to coach in Super Rugby

Former England backrow Nick Easter has sealed a deal to coach in Super Rugby for the upcoming season.

Easter, who was a defence coach at Harlequins left the Gallagher Premiership club last summer following the appointment of Paul Gustard, which prompted a reshuffle within the Quins backroom team.

He earned 54 caps for England before hanging up his boots in 2016.

He linked up with the Cell C Sharks in South Africa for the Currie Cup season and has suitably impressed the Durban-based franchise.

In a statement they said: "The Sharks are happy to announce that former England international, Nick Easter, will be joining the Cell C Sharks coaching team, as a consultant, for the Vodacom Super Rugby campaign.

Nick who was involved with our coaching set-up during last year’s successful Currie Cup campaign, has once again volunteered his services and is eager to return to Durban.

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“Nick added tremendous value during his time with us last year and really fitted into our team culture. His experience and the tactical knowledge he imparted was excellent and I am sure as a young coach he also enjoyed embracing a new culture and learning from us”, said Cell C Sharks Head Coach, Robert du Preez.

“He has such a positive influence within the team environment and we look forward to him joining us next week.”

Easter is not the first young English coach to move abroad and attempt to forge a career, with the likes of Joe Worsley, Ian Vass and Rory Teague among the others to do so in recent years, whilst more experienced coaches, such as Stuart Lancaster, Andy Farrell and Dan McFarland, are also flourishing away from England.

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