Following the conclusion of Steve McCormack’s long and successful tenure as Head Coach, Scotland Rugby League are very pleased to announce the appointment of Chris Chester and John Duffy as Joint Head Coaches.

Scotland Rugby League have undertaken an extensive process to appoint a new head coach.

Keith Hogg, Chairman of Scotland Rugby League, said:

We were very impressed with the number and quality of applicants for the role. Applications came from all over the world and included a number of experienced coaches many of whom have played for Scotland. We were very pleased with the enthusiasm of so many coaches to be involved with Scotland Rugby League and thank them all for their interest in the role.

Having had a number of discussions with various candidates, Chris and John stood out as the best people for the job. John is a highly regarded young coach who is passionate about the success of Scotland Rugby League. He has been involved with Scotland as a player and a coach for 19 of the last 20 years. Chris stood in at short notice as Head Coach for Steve McCormack in 2012 and did a great job. We have watched Chris develop his coaching career with considerable interest and are really pleased to have one of Super League’s brightest young coaches leading our senior team.

I was really pleased when I met with Chris and John to suggest that they become Joint Head Coaches and they agreed immediately. They get on well, have very similar views and values about the great game of rugby league, have already met to agree who will do what and will do a great job.

John Duffy said:

Being involved with Scotland has been an important part of my life and my family’s life for 20 years. I am enormously proud of the progress that we have made over the years and immensely honoured to be appointed as Head Coach. I know that Chris and I will work well together and look forward to leading the team in the 2018 European Championships.

Chris Chester said:

I really enjoyed my involvement with Scotland in 2012 and have watched their development since then with considerable interest. It is great to see the progress that has been made in recent years. I am very excited to be leading the next stage in Scotland’s development and to be working with some very good players who are enormously committed to the Bravehearts.

Scotland Rugby League would like to thank both Wakefield Trinity and Featherstone Rovers for their support with the appointment of Chris and John.