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A week in the life........ Ian Smith
 
 
Rugby Times ran the following article in February 2006……Ian Smith, the Moseley head coach, gave readers an idea of his week running up to the ND2 top of the table clash with Esher.
 
A Week in the Life of...Moseley coach Ian Smith

Sunday

Up early with my three sons for mini rugby at Longlevens RFC. Have to keep switching from group to group to watch them all play and still arrive home with the correct number even though they're unrecognisable.
Contact assistant coach Don Caskie to discuss theme for week in terms of analysis clips and sessions. A huge concern is our injury list from Orrell, Tom Skelding and James Aston out for Esher game with five more players unable to train until Thursday.
With our A team playing against Leicester A on Monday night we decide to postpone club training until Thursday, leaving Tuesday for optional skills and Wednesday to work with forwards on the scrum.

Monday

Re-organise A team for tonight to accommodate injuries in first team. Then sit down to watch the Orrell fixture and compile the team analysis target sheet.
After speaking to Richard Hill at Bristol regarding the performances of the two loan players we have I have a call from Steve Leyshon to arrange a referee supported training session on February 28th.
Fantastic result for Moseley A team, beating Leicester at Welford Road 25 - 17. These are the type of fixtures we need for the second tier players with a hard run in to the end of season.

Tuesday

Pull out the Esher game DVD and work on their plays, themes etc. We have decided to try something a little different this week with the players having more input. Three groups will be given responsibility to analyse different areas from the DVD. They can report back on Thursday.
Hooker Dean Bick rings me to clear up a query (have to be on your guard here as Bicky is, or thinks he is, the practical joker of the outfit).
Apparently John Brain has asked Bicky to train at Worcester Warriors, do I think this is for real? Later, on reading the text message, it appears Brainer has the spelling of a seven-year-old, even spelling his own name wrong! Skills session at club while John Caves puts some of the boys through a speed and agility session

Wednesday

Create the DVDs for players in analysis groups and then speak to Sara (physio) regarding injury updates.
I pick up Pete Jones, my old Gloucester and Scotland team mate, for a scrum session at Moseley. First up I show some Esher scrummaging on video to set tone of session and highlight areas we can gain from. Session goes well apart from the three forwards who still can't train due to injuries. They are all in attendance though to pick up theme.
Dean Bick has now been contacted by Northampton who also want him to train. This text message has similar grammar to the one from Worcester and is signed off by Budge Pountney, who also has trouble spelling his own name.
The forwards are now laughing but woe betide the player responsible when Bicky finds out.

Thursday

Another update from Sara with the real injury worries being Ollie Thomas and Neil Mason. James Aston and Tom Skelding are out as thought.
Discuss session tonight with Don Caskie. Popular thought is that Darren OšLeary should speak last at the analysis meeting as this may curtail the longevity of his thoughts. Meeting runs well with the players making some good points and realising the challenges ahead.
Neil Mason sent from training after 10 minutes and straight to the Accident Unit for an x-ray. Charlie Daniell brought into the squad with Tom Mackintosh moving up to the team.
Mason rings me at midnight to say no break so arrange strapping at Worcester on Friday morning with Claire Woodwood to see if this helps.
Decide to run the team preparations on Saturday with extra forward just in case Neil Mason breaks down.

Saturday

Match day at last!
My two youngest boys come with me to Moseley, as they seem to be a lucky charm. Our chief executive Dave Warren has bought new match balls as suggested, probably why hešs looking so miserable.
Team warm up goes well with Charlie Daniell the unfortunate bridesmaid as Neil Mason comes through fine.
The game seems to fly by with Moseley taking the initiative early and getting the result with a bonus point.
Great to see an old team mate of Don and mine at the club, Ruari McLean.
A little older with grey hair but still the king of the practical joke in my view. I think Išll introduce him to Bicky.
 
 

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