Phil Larder

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Phil Larder MBE (born 20 March 1945 in Oldham, Lancashire), is an English rugby coach.

After graduating with a degree in Physical Education and Sports Science from Loughborough University in 1965^[1], he played rugby union at centre for Broughton Park in Manchester and then Sale Sharks. Larder then transfered to rugby league, playing for Oldham and later Whitehaven^[2].

Larder then coached in rugby league, becoming head coach for Widnes Vikings, Keighley Cougars and Sheffield Eagles^[3]. Larder coached both England rugby league team at the 1995 World Cup and took Great Britain and Ireland on the 1996 tour of New Zealand.

Larder then moved to rugby union coaching Sale, and then worked with Leicester Tigers during their 4-year Guinness Premiership winning run and Heineken Cup back-to-back victories in 2001 and 2002. Larder was the first specialist coach appointed under Sir Clive Woodwards in 1997^[4] as Defence Coach. He held the position in both the succesful 2003 Rugby World Cup winning team, as well as the 2001 and 2005 British Lions tours.

Larder was part of the England coaching set up until April 2006, when he was axed along with Joe Lydon and Dave Alred following a review of the team's poor Six Nations performance. Larder later critisised coach Andy Robinson for letting player power run the team in his 25 month period in charge^[5].

Larder now helps out at Worcester RFC^[6].