Kenilworth RFC

Kenilworth Rugby Club is delighted to welcome former Wasps full-back Rob Miller to the men’s coaching team on a consultancy basis, initially until the end of the 2024/25 season.

The move for Miller comes as part of a wider reorganisation of the men’s coaching section at Kenilworth, whose 1st XV are currently bottom of Regional One Midlands.

That reorganisation sees Jon Lowdon move from Head Coach to his previous role as skills coach, where he will continue to work alongside Todd Freemantle (backs) and Lewis Hall (forwards).

Director of Rugby Jamie Peacock will be more involved in 1st XV coaching through to the end of the season, or until a new head coach is appointed.

He said: “This has been a tough season for the club, not helped by losing some very senior and exceptionally talented Kenilworth players - whether that’s to retirement, injury, or to moving away from the area.

“But we can never make excuses, and while these things tend to be cyclical, it’s clear that our results and performances have been short of where we need them to be.

“It is very important – and especially so given these circumstance – to look for opportunities and competitive edges wherever we can get them, and I think that is what someone like Rob Miller provides for us.

“It is a great credit to Jon’s character, and clear evidence of his commitment to this club, and to these players, that he wants to be part of a different approach that helps us through to the end of the season.”

Miller has vast experience at the highest level of the domestic game, having played for several elite coaches and alongside the best players in the world.

While the 35-year-old spent most of his professional rugby at full-back, he was equally comfortable at fly-half.

A former England Under-20 international, he played more than 200 games in the Premiership across a ten-year career, for Newcastle Falcons, Sale Sharks and Wasps. A reliable goalkicker, he scored more 500 points in the top-flight.

Peacock added: “I watched Rob a lot during his time at Sale Sharks and he was consistently a top performer in a strong side.

“The link to him came about through chance - we share some friends in Manchester, so as I soon as I heard he was in this area, and potentially available, I was very keen to chat to him.

“Adding someone with Rob’s experience and knowledge into the mix here is a coup for us.

“We are delighted to have him as part of the coaching set up, and I think he will inspire our players.

“We have several young, promising backs who will benefit hugely from his expertise, across all areas of their game, and having a voice like his in our coaching group can only benefit all of us.”

Miller, whose previous coaching experiences have been at Nuneaton Old Edwardians and the Midlands Academy, added: “I know it has been a tough season for Kenilworth in a tough league - but everyone I have spoken to at the club has been transparent about the challenge in front of us.

“I am just keen to add value where I can.

“There are certainly some promising players at the club who are playing at a good level, so I’m looking forward to working with them, hopefully improving them, and I am happy to share my experience and knowledge of the game where I can.

“As long as I am not put on scrums and lineouts, the rest will be fine!”

The 1st XV arre away to Derby on Saturday 11 January. 2:15 K.O.