Latest news with #Annett
Belfast Telegraph
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
Former Ulster hooker chases silverware in final game of professional career
The 34-year-old former Ulster hooker has been named on the bench for Johann van Graan's side who take on Leicester in Saturday's Gallagher Premiership final. Annett has already helped the west country side life the Challenge Cup this season, coming on as a replacement in the win over Lyon, and he'll hope to repeat the feat this afternoon. Annett will take up a position as an elite player development officer with Ulster after he brings down the curtain on a 14-year professional career that saw him play three seasons for his home province. From there he moved to Worcester Warriors in 2014, for whom he made over 100 appearances, and then finished his career at Bath, as well as making one appearance for the Barbarians. Having finished 11 points clear of the Tigers at the top of the regular-season table, Bath then saw off rivals Bristol to secure a return to the Allianz Stadium, where they were edged out 25-21 by Northampton last year. Former Munster coach Van Graan's side ended the club's 17-year trophy drought earlier in the campaign by lifting the Premiership Rugby Cup before then winning the European Challenge Cup last month with that victory over Lyon in Cardiff. Bath last won the league in 1996, fishing top of the table ahead of Leicester by just one point for the Somerset's club's sixth title in a decade of dominance. Despite the long wait to again be crowned England's best, Van Graan – who took over at The Recreation Ground ahead of the 2022-23 season having left Munster – insists his side remain focused on writing their own chapter by completing what would be a memorable treble. 'When I joined Bath, you look at the history, the tradition, you read up on the club, and you see that this club at a time was incredibly successful, specifically through the 1980s and the 90s,' the South African coach said. 'One thing that we all did together is we respect our history, but we started the club at zero in our minds on July 11, 2022. 'We respect everybody and everything that has gone before, but for us, it has been a journey of the last three years. 'It is all about this circle and this group of people, whilst loving the people that support this club. 'Ultimately, you do sport because you want to belong to something – and we belong to this club at this stage of our different journeys. 'This is an amazing club with an amazing support base, and we are very proud of that. We are very proud that we can belong to, and for, this group. 'It is another moment in time and we have got an amazing opportunity. There is no expectation and we don't feel any burden. 'The only thing we feel is each other and inside of that circle, and that is what we are doing.' Bath thrashed former Leinster coach Michael Cheika's Leicester 43-15 in May, scoring seven tries, having also won at Mattioli Woods Welford Road Stadium in September. Van Graan, though, has warned against any sense of complacency at Twickenham, which will be the last game in charge for Tigers head coach Michael Cheika and for Leicester stalwarts Dan Cole and Ben Youngs ahead of their retirement. 'It is definitely a stand-alone fixture,' van Graan said. 'Obviously, you do your homework and you look at what's worked for you, what didn't, what worked for them, what didn't. 'You look at every game in a different way but a final is so unique, it is the last game of the season for both clubs. 'Leicester is a club we respect but ultimately it's about our performance and what we need to do, so that's been the sole focus for us this week. 'It has been about 'how can we get better?' Our process is something that's worked well for us, so we are going to stick to what we do.'
The 42
29-05-2025
- Sport
- The 42
Niall Annett leaving Bath to take up coaching job with Ulster
NIALL ANNETT IS leaving Bath to take up a coaching role with Ulster, his home province. The 34-year-old hooker began his career with Ulster in 2011 before moving to Worcester Warriors in 2014. Annett, a former captain of the Ireland U20 team, joined Bath from Worcester in 2022 and has made 23 appearances this season. He came off the bench in the final quarter this month when Bath beat Lyon in the Champions Cup final. Advertisement Annett, as well as provincial pathway coach Jonathon Graham, have been appointed as Ulster's new elite player development officers. Both Annett and Graham will focus on developing forwards, with Annett specialising in set piece work and scrummaging, according to Ulster. In 2021 Annett completed the England Rugby Advanced Coaching Award, the highest qualification achievable while playing professionally. Bath's head of rugby Johann van Graan said: 'I first met Niall on his podcast, and he made an immediate impression on me. 'Niall joined our journey on day one, July 11, 2022, and has made a massive contribution across the last three years on and off the field. 'He is tough to beat, and he will make a fantastic coach. Niall is a family man, and I wish them the very best.' Annett said: 'The Rec will always hold a special place in our hearts. Claire and I came here with a little baby girl, and now we're leaving with a little woman (with a lovely English accent) and as a family will have memories that will last a lifetime. 'To all the players, staff, and everyone behind the scenes – thanks so much. It's been a pleasure being part of the club. I've loved every minute. 'We as a family are very excited to be coming back home to Belfast and starting a new chapter with Ulster Rugby. 'I've had some brilliant playing experiences and been part of some great clubs in my playing career and I'm now eager to apply that knowledge into coaching and challenge myself. 'I'm excited to work alongside all the quality existing coaches and players and help develop talent throughout Ulster Rugby.'
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bath sign centre Harris as Annett among leavers
Bath have signed Scotland centre Chris Harris from Gloucester on a one-year deal for the 2025-26 season. Harris has scored 27 tries in 109 appearances for the Cherry and Whites where he has played since 2019. The 34-year-old signs as injury cover for England international Ollie Lawrence, who is not due back for the start of next season after he ruptured an Achilles tendon during the Six Nations. Harris's arrival comes as front rows Niall Annett and Arthur Cordwell will retire from playing this summer, while hookers Hame Faiva and John Stewart will also be leaving the club. Harris has been capped 46 times by Scotland - the last coming in 2023 at the World Cup - and was also selected for the 2021 British and Irish Lions squad who toured South Africa. He said he was "delighted to have the opportunity to join Bath and get to play with some great friends and great talent". "The culture translates on the pitch and I'm excited to get started," Harris added. Harris joins a growing list of players signing for the Premiership league leaders for the 2025-26 campaign, including Gloucester team-mate and Argentina full-back Santiago Carreras, England back Henry Arundell and hooker Dan Frost. Head of rugby Johann van Graan said Harris is "a leader, and an excellent all-round player". He added: "I believe Chris' best is yet to come and he will fit in very well with our family-first environment." Annett, 34, has confirmed he will leave Bath this summer to take up a coaching role at Ulster, where he began his career. The former Ireland Under-20 captain joined Bath from Worcester Warriors in 2022 and made 23 appearances this season. He started six matches and scored four tries, including home and away against Exeter in the Premiership and in the Challenge Cup semi-final win at Edinburgh earlier this month. He was among the replacements as Bath picked up their first continental silverware in 17 years by beating Lyon in Cardiff last week. Annett told the club website: "The Rec will always hold a special place in our hearts. As a family we will have memories that will last a lifetime. "To all the players, staff, and everyone behind the scenes - thanks so much. It's been a pleasure being part of the club. I've loved every minute and I'm wishing you all the very best and loads of success moving forward." Prop Cordwell, 26, came into Bath's senior academy via Canford School and the University of Bath. "It's been an honour to play for my boyhood club," he said. "Over the past eight years I've met some incredible people, had the opportunity to share the pitch with some of the best players in the world, and made memories I'll be proud of for the rest of my life." Former England Under-20 international Stewart, 22, departs having come through the club's academy system before making his Bath debut in 2021, while 31-year-old Faiva joined the club in November 2023 after competing for Italy in the World Cup. Faiva – previously with Italian team Benetton, Worcester Warriors, and Hurricanes – missed most of this season with a knee injury sustained against Cardiff in pre-season. Van Graan said: "Niall has made a massive contribution across the last three years on and off the field. He is tough to beat, and he will make a fantastic coach. "Arthur is one of the true characters in our group, a reliable squad member who always puts the team first. I wish Arthur the very best in the next step of his journey. He will make a success of anything he takes on. "Hame and John have added on and off the pitch with their unique personalities and will be missed by all. We wish them the very best for the next part of their journey." McConnochie and Schreuder to leave Bath this summer Underhill to miss rest of Bath's season with ban
Belfast Telegraph
29-05-2025
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
Former Ulster hooker to take up development role with province after retiring from playing
The 34-year-old brings down the curtain on his 14-year professional career that saw him play three seasons for his home province before moving to Worcester Warriors in 2014, for whom he made over 100 appearances, and then finish his career at Bath, as well as making one appearance for the Barbarians. Annett retires off the back of winning the Challenge Cup with Bath last week, coming off the bench as a substitute in their victory over Lyon in the Final, and could yet end the year by doing the double, with Johan van Graan's side guaranteed top seeding in the Premiership Play-Offs, which begin next weekend. As well as playing while in England, the former Methodist College student also progressed in his coaching ambitions by achieving his England Rugby Advanced Coaching Award in 2021, paving the way for him to take up his new role with Ulster. Annett delivered an emotional retirement post on X, and commented on returning to the province where it all started: 'We as a family are very excited to be coming back home to Belfast and starting a new chapter with Ulster Rugby. 'I've had some brilliant playing experiences and been part of some great clubs in my playing career and I'm now eager to apply that knowledge into coaching and challenge myself. "I'm excited to work alongside all the quality existing coaches and players and help develop talent throughout Ulster Rugby.' We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Annett will be joined in the role by Jonathon Graham, who has been promoted to the same position having previously been a provincial pathway coach with Ulster in which he pioneered the Talent ID programme within the province. 'I'm really excited to get stuck into this new role. Having been involved in the pathway for a number of years, I can see the talent coming through and my goal is to help prepare these players for senior rugby as much as possible,' commented Graham, who also coaches the Ulster Schools side. 'It's always a great source of pride to see players who come through the pathway play for the senior side and we want to develop the next generation of Ulster players.' Ulster's general manager Bryn Cunningham added: 'We are delighted that Niall and Jonny have taken up the opportunity to become our EDPOs. These roles are key in our strategy for the next few years, and we want to help deliver top-class coaching to our young forwards. 'It's great to welcome Niall back home, particularly as he brings significant set-piece expertise around the scrum and lineout, having been at the coalface for so many years in several high-performance environments. 'Jonny has been doing great work at Ulster Rugby over the past number of years, specifically within our age-grade coaching department and talent ID programme. "Both are ambitious coaches, with a real passion for nurturing talent and we look forward to seeing them both play a big part in developing the players of the future.'
