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25

May 2022

Last Updated: 25/05/2022
Community
Community

Former Leeds Rhinos captain joins Harrogate Rugby Club as coach

by Calvin Robinson

| 25 May, 2022
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Gary Mercer, former Leeds Rhinos captain and New Zealand international, says 'things are happening' at Harrogate Rugby Club.

garymercer
Gary Mercer, who has joined Harrogate Rugby Club as defence coach.

Former Leeds Rhinos and New Zealand rugby league international Gary Mercer has joined Harrogate Rugby Club as defence coach.

Mercer, who played rugby league before switching to union as a coach, will join the club alongside newly appointed director of rugby Martyn Wood, who was capped by England.

The former Rhinos captain made more than 150 appearances for Leeds and represented his country 21 times.

Mercer said:

“I’m very much looking forward to taking on the new role of defence coach with the Aces. 
“I am very confident about the team’s future. An excellent plan has been put in place and things are certainly happening at the club.” 


During his career, Mercer also played for Bradford, Warrington and Halifax at rugby league.



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He had a spell as coach at Halifax before switching codes to union where he went on to coach Yorkshire Carnegie, Glasgow Warriors and Biggar in Scotland.

Mercer will continue his role as head of rugby and tutor at Ashville College while coaching at Harrogate.

Martyn Wood said:

“Gary Mercer has incredible experience in both codes at club and international level, and we will be drawing upon his knowledge to produce the required step-change in our defence. 
“Having Gary join us will add a new range of skills to our coaching set-up. Working alongside our existing head coach Sam Fox, we are expecting great things.”