Ulster Rugby Schools’ Cup Round 3 Interview: Kyle McCallan MBE: From Ireland cricketer to Danske Bank Schools’ Cup rugby coach

Former Ireland cricket captain Kyle McCallan is hoping his international experience will benefit young rugby players at Grosvenor Grammar as they embark on their Danske Bank Schools’ Cup journey…

“The big difference between rugby and cricket players is that rugby players know that if they put their body on the line for 80 minutes they will also have the constant support of 14 other players around them for those 80 minutes. The cricketer is someone whose contest is more in the mind and, whether a batsman or bowler, you’re very alone out there on those 22 yards of cut grass” – South Africa’s mental conditioning coach Henning Gericke, who made the switch from working from the international rugby team to the international cricket side.
Kyle McCallan knows all about what it is like to play that contest of the mind. He represented Ireland at cricket on a record 226 occasions, he captained Ireland 54 times and he was awarded an MBE for services to the sport. He is now Head of PE at Grovesnor Grammar School and this weekend will coach the school’s rugby 1st XV in a very different form of sporting contest – a Danske Bank Schools’ Cup third round match against Dalriada……. CLICK HERE for the full story