Another Englishman wants to coach the Vodafone Fijian 7s team.

He is former Samoa 7s coach Damian McGrath.

He is one of the applicants for the job. McGrath is a former professional rugby league player who developed a successful coaching career in first rugby league and then rugby union. He is an education graduate who has written and lectured extensively on skills coaching.

Applications closed at the Fiji Rugby Union last Friday.

He confirmed his application from England yesterday.

“Yes, I did apply,” McGrath said.

The Samoan Rugby Union board relieved McGrath of his duties last month following a review of performance that saw Samoa miss out on the 2016 Olympic Games.

McGrath was hired a year ago by SRU and turned around the fortunes of a struggling team.

His side started the year slowly but improved steadily winning the World Sevens Series Paris leg defeating Fiji 29-26 in the Cup final.

Despite the achievement, it was not enough for the Englishman to keep his job.

Samoa was favourite to win the final spot at the Rio Olympics qualifier but was eliminated by Spain in the final in Monaco.

McGrath was previously an assistant coach to Simon Amor with England 7s before moving to Samoa.

He’s also been a member of the coaching staff for Wales and Spain.

Meanwhile, there has been no confirmation on the list of candidates for the national 7s coaching position.

Fiji Rugby Union chief executive John O’Connor said the board would be looking at all the applications next week.

“We will go through the applications, I can comment on Monday.”

Edited by Osea Bola

Feedback:  anasilinir@fijisun.com.fj