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Retiring Tom Cruse lands coaching role next season

Tom Cruse of Northampton Saints prepares to throw in the ball during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby match between Northampton Saints and Sale Sharks at Franklin's Gardens on February 18, 2023 in Northampton, England. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Northampton Saints’ retiring hooker Tom Cruse has been named the forwards coach of Championship outfit Bedford Blues for next season.

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The 35-year-old announced his retirement from professional rugby in April after spending just over a year at Franklin’s Gardens, and will swiftly move into the world of coaching full-time.

Cruse already has experience of the Championship having played for Rotherham earlier in his career, and describes himself as a “massive advocate of the Championship”.

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      He also has experience of coaching already, serving as forwards coach for Chinnor this season under former England No8 Nick Easter and helping guide them to the Championship next season.

      The move will see Cruse link up with his former Wasps teammate Michael Le Bourgeois, who joined the club after Wasps went into administration in 2022. Cruse, meanwhile, joined Edinburgh on a short-term deal before ending up at Northampton Saints.

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      “Bedford are a big, traditional club and I’m very fortunate to have this opportunity,” Cruse said.

      “It’s one I feel very privileged about, there’s a few familiar faces at the club – one of those being Michael Le Bourgeois from my time at Wasps.

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      “It’s a really exciting challenge for me as I begin my coaching career, in a league that’s highly competitive. I’m a massive advocate of the Championship, it’s a great place to help talent grow, and I’m eager to put my stamp on things to aid that.

      “When I met Mike Rayer [Bedford director of rugby] to talk about coming on board at Bedford, he spoke a lot about development; and that’s not just the players, but the coaches as well.

      “This being my first full-time coaching role, it was important to find the right fit. I’ve done a lot of coaching already in my journey, but that was whilst still playing, and it was that chance of development that really stuck out for me.”

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      IkeaBoy 1 hour ago
      Crusaders outlast fast starting Blues to reach another Super Rugby final

      Very considered stuff, JW!


      What I think is slippery is that they are essentially red carding based on ‘intent’ which was never really the case. It’s a tough ask to expect a ref to essentially physiologically profile a player, in-game. It should be a minimum at any level of rugby that a player wouldn’t deliberately be reckless or aim for a high degree of danger. Even with the guidance it’s still very subjective for refs. I’m not even sure if a full red has been dished out at test level since the new 20 min card arrived? It looks like they’ve forgotten they can still dish out a straight red.


      WR are focused on sanctioning the dangerous act and dealing with it rather than working on removing the act itself. The big task is to remove the risky play rather than being consistent on carding it. It’s probably a coaching issue really and would take a while to bed in and have to work up from the age groups who are starting the game now.


      Aki was a great example though. Short and stocky for a centre but he used to tackle high. He got red carded twice for Ireland but worked on it and I don’t think he’s had a problem since. Club or test level.


      I agree with the ABs last couple of seasons. I don’t think they tackled any better or worse they just maybe didn’t keep up to speed with the law changes. I remember with Fozzie in the 2022 series, he didn’t even realise that hooking big Ardie in the second test would be a permanent change!


      Verdict is still out on the 20 min reds but maybe it takes the next RWC to see if they are used or abused.

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