Nigel Redman leaves RFU to join Worcester as forward coach

Club return: Nigel Redman will join Worcester as forwards coach

Nigel Redman, the Rugby Football Union’s elite coach development manager, has been appointed as Worcester’s forward coach for next season, Telegraph Sport understands.

Redman, the former England lock forward, is understood to have agreed terms with the Aviva Premiership club and will fill the vacancy left by Phil Davies, who has been appointed director of rugby at Cardiff Blues.

It is understood Wasps’s forward coach Trevor Woodman and Plymouth’s ex-director of rugby Graham Dawe were also considered for the position.

Redman, 47, took up his current role with the RFU in 2008 having coached England Under-20s and Under-19s and was formerly academy manager at Worcester.

Redman’s return to Sixways will also see him re-unite with Worcester’s head coach Richard Hill – both were team-mates at Bath. Redman won 20 caps for his country and also played on the 1997 Lions tour to South Africa.

Meanwhile, Northampton Saints have announced the signing of Australia back Cameron Shepherd from the Western Force.

The 28 year-old full-back or wing has won nine caps for the Wallabies and is Western Force's leading points-scorer.

"Cameron is a very talented player who has shown regularly that he has the ability and temperament to compete at the highest level," said Northampton's director of rugby Jim Mallinder.

"He has a positive impact for his team's attacking capability but is also solid defensively and under the high ball. He will also give us another goal-kicking option."