Richard Tate appointed England Universities Head Coach

By Daniel Fowler

The Rugby Football League is pleased to announce Richard Tate as the new England Universities Head Coach. 

Tate, who works for the Hull FC Foundation, was assistant to Colin Baker for England's 2017 Student Rugby League World Cup campaign in Australia, where they made the semi-finals.

The current Hull University RL boss is delighted to be making the step up from assistant to head coach of the national side.

"I'm over the moon," he said.

"I'm really chuffed and honoured to represent my country at the highest level.

"Rugby League is one of my sports and a programme I've worked hard over the past few years to make a name in." 

When asked if the transition to becoming head coach will be helped by his vast array of experience in the sport, Tate added: "Definitely.

"The thing about the university game is it changes every year.

"You don't know what new cohorts you're going to get and what players you're going to lose but the experience of being a coach on past Rugby League tours in the university game will stand me in good stead."

"The experience I've been lucky enough to have in the professional game and academy systems will help me out tremendously - but I think just having the rapport with some of the senior boys that are still around will help me."

[[MULTI_IMAGE1]][[MULTI_IMAGE2]]

With the Four Nations coming up next year, Tate is eyeing up his first piece of silverware while also planning for the next World Cup in 2021.

"It's a transition year for the England University Rugby League team, coming off the back of the World Cup," said Tate.

"It's four years to the next World Cup, so this is about restarting and building some blocks in place.

"In terms of short-term goals, I'd obviously love to win the Four Nations next year, that would be great.

"But it's about putting some plans in place and starting to get some first years in the pathway and maybe stamping my look on things, on how the programme and team should be run."

Kevin Deighton will also take up a the role of Assistant Coach to Tate, while David Butler remains as Team Manager.

Regional trials for the 2017/18 season are already complete, with inter-regional fixtures set to take place in early December as team selection for the Four Nations next year hots up.

• Yorkshire Vs Midlands 2nd December SHU Sports Park - 3:30pm kick off.
• South East Vs South West 2nd December Maidenhead RFC - 4pm kick off.
• North East Vs North West 3rd December Kingston Park - 1pm kick off.