Canada's men's rugby 7s team has a new coach
Former Samoa coach McGrath hired after disappointing 13th-place finish last season
Former Samoa coach Damian McGrath is taking over Canada's men's rugby sevens team.
The 57-year-old Englishman led Samoa to a ninth-place finish in the 2015-16 HSBC Sevens World Series, with the Pacific Islanders winning the Cup title in Paris.
McGrath succeeds Zimbabwe's Liam Middleton, whose contract was not renewed after Canada failed to qualify for the Rio Olympics. McGrath also lost his job with Samoa after failing to get to Rio.
NEWS: We're pleased to announce that Damian McGrath has been appointed to Head Coach of Canada's Men's Sevens Team! <a href="https://t.co/72mZaePaij">https://t.co/72mZaePaij</a> <a href="https://t.co/QpGl5I7CbO">pic.twitter.com/QpGl5I7CbO</a>
—@RugbyCanadaThe Yorkshire native has worked in rugby league and union as well as sevens. McGrath spent time with the Leeds Rhinos in England's Super League and was England's assistant coach at the 2000 Rugby League World Cup.
In rugby union, he worked with England as a defence-skills coach at the 2005 Churchill Cup and with England 'A.'
McGrath was part of England's sevens coaching setup from 2001-2006.
The 2016-17 Sevens Series opens Dec. 2 at the Dubai Sevens where Canada has been drawn into a pool with Fiji, Argentina and Wales.
The Canadian men finished a disappointing 13th last season.
McGrath's start as Canadian coach is dependent on immigration requirements.