Staff

Allen Clarke, Director of Rugby and Head Coach

Allen Clarke was capped eight times as a hooker for Ireland and won the 1999 Heineken Cup with his club side Ulster; the first European title for an Irish side. He also spent several seasons with English side, Northampton Saints. On retirement, Clarke joined the Ulster coaching set up and established the provinces’ academy system. He was promoted to assistant coach under Mark McCall and served in Ulster’s title-winning season in 2005-6. Following this success, Clarke was hired by Ireland Rugby as the first elite player development manager to develop young Irish players. He also served as head coach of the Ireland U20 team and Ireland’s ‘A’ side. He rejoined Ulster as assistant coach in 2012 and continued to be involved in coaching the Irish A side. In 2017, Clarke left Ulster joining the Ospreys in Wales initially as forwards coach and then as head coach. In 2020, Clarke joined the Dallas Jackals as director of rugby. With Dallas opting out of the 2021 season, Clarke is available and will act as technical coach to the Seawolves.