A FORMER professional rugby player, Rob O’Donnell has been appointed as the rugby and conditioning coach for a Colwyn Bay coach.

Rob will work with the Rydal Penrhos’ senior and age grade squads throughout the campaign both on the field and at the school’s state of the art performance centre.

Rob is a six foot, five inch forward who began his career at Waterloo before making a high-profile switch to Sale Sharks, where he made 35 appearances.

This was followed by a spell with Rotherham Titans over a two-year period, and O’Donnell also enjoyed hugely successful stints at Worcester Warriors and Yorkshire Carnegie.

He recently retired from the professional game following a 14 year long career.

Head of physical education, Nicky Head, said: “We are thrilled Rob has agreed to come in and work with our aspiring rugby players, his vast experience is going to be a significant boost to the specialist coaching provision we provide here.

“He is a very knowledgeable individual who has achieved a considerable amount throughout his career, and this is going to aid the development of our pupils in a tremendous way.”