Will Greenwood to coach Barbarians against South Africa
Will Greenwood, left, celebrates with Jonny Wilkinson after England's World Cup final win in 2003
©PA
Former England international and 2003 World Cup winner Will Greenwood will coach the Barbarians when they take on South Africa in November.
Greenwood on...
The chance to coach the Barbarians
"I dived at the chance to be involved, alongside a world-class coach like Robbie Deans, to coach a team I played for, and my father played for.
"All the iconic images. And then you throw in Wembley. It's a great challenge. There are some great coaches out there who would love to do it so I realise I'm very lucky.
South Africa
"They are physically the most intimidating team on the planet. That's my judgement from playing against them many times and I suspect they haven't deviated too far from a simple model, which is to physically dominate you."
Coaching ambitions
"I have no five-year plan to take over from (England coach) Eddie Jones when he finishes. I do Tuesday and Thursday nights at Maidenhead and I want to be part of a Maidenhead side that is more competitive next season."
Working with England
"I spent a little bit of time in camp. I try to be under the radar, but I was at Penny Hill. I loved it. But I followed that up four hours later on the 4G pitch at Maidenhead, and I loved that.
"If Eddie felt as though he wanted some advice he would ask for it. But I would have no hesitation having watched how he operates.
England
"They were never a bad side because they lost in the World Cup pool. Those boys will be 70 and still replaying the last 10 minutes against Wales.
"The squad is an inherited one with some tweaks, and all problems go away. It's minor details that have been added on. They've bossed the northern hemisphere, now they go south to Australia and they will find out how good they are."
Dylan Hartley
"Dylan has done great work. You talk about big punts that Eddie got right. It was a big punt. He came with history and he has repaid that faith. He'll keep getting better.
"You can only applaud a bloke who was doubted who then posted a picture in Twitter of him in bed in Paris with the trophy. That's cool."
Greenwood, 43, enjoyed a playing career with Harlequins and Leicester that earned him 55 England caps, and he played an integral role in England's World Cup win that culminated in a 20-17 win over Australia in 2003.
He will team up with former Australia coach Robbie Deans to guide the Barbarians side into action against the Springboks at Wembley on 5th November.
The invitational side, now playing in their 125th season, are gunning for a third straight win against South Africa having emerged victorious in 2007 and 2010.
Greenwood turned out for the Barbarians twice during his playing days, against Ireland in 1996 and against Scotland in 2006.
"I grew up watching the Barbarians who are still an iconic side that brings great names together to play entertaining and enjoyable rugby," Greenwood said.
"It was an honour to play for them twice and it is a privilege to be involved in coaching the team against South Africa this year - helping give them a structure in which they can express themselves.
"Bringing people together from different countries to play for each other and for the traditions the Barbarians represent is a great challenge and one I'm looking forward to."
New Zealander Deans is the most successful coach in the history of Super Rugby havning guided Crusaders to five titles between 2000 and 2008, and is back with the Barbarians after leading them against Ireland and England in 2014.
"My recent experience reaffirmed what a privilege it is to be involved with the Barbarians and the players all understood that," Deans said.
"It's a great opportunity for everyone. We'll be playing the ultimate rugby nation in South Africa, they'll have a new coaching staff in place and they're a latent giant waiting to be awoken.
"They were probably the closest of all apart from New Zealand to winning the World Cup. There was very little between those sides.
"With the talent they've got they'll keep improving and the hunger will grow. If you add in a new coaching staff to that and it's a powerful mix.
"I'm looking forward to working with Will and it'll be good to have such an expert on board. Will's got a lot of experience, he's a World Cup winner and it's great to have him involved with the Barbarians."
While the Barbarians know who will be calling the shots for them, the identity of South Africa's new coach has yet to be decided as Heyneke Meyer's successor is due to be appointed next month.
