The Inside Shoulder

History Maker: Departing Hull KR Defence Coach Danny Ward on Transformation & Rugby League Treble Winning Defence

On this episode of The Inside Shoulder we are joined by incoming London Broncos Assistant Coach and recent Hull KR Treble Winning Assistant Coach, Danny Ward, the man who helped construct the best defence in Super League 2025 - conceding only 8-9 points per game on average, as well as only one try in the Grand Final against Wigan at Old Trafford. We discussed the decades in the making transformation of Hull KR, how a culture and environment of competitiveness and intensity was built, as well as the ingredients that went into the defence which brought Hull KR their first silverware in decades, including their fearsome line speed and kick chase. Danny Ward is now heading back to the revamped London Broncos RL, a club where he previously played and held the role of Head Coach. As a player, Danny played for Leeds Rhinos, Castleford Tigers, Hull KR, and London Broncos (then Harlequins Rugby League). He was also capped for Great Britain.

"Surf Your Own Wave" - Carving out a Unique Path in Strength & Conditioning with Coach Terrence Kennell, Director of Applied Football Science & Speed @ University of South Florida

Coach Terrence Kennel (TK) is the current Director of Applied Football Science and Speed for the University of South Florida Bulls, a Division 1 school that competes in the American Conference. TK has worked at the elite level across numerous sports including rugby, MMA, basketball, baseball, soccer and of course, American football, carving out a path and trajectory that is unique to him - surfing his own wave. In this episode we discuss speed and conditioning extensively, especially what many people - including football coaches - get wrong about conditioning and what their conditioning is missing. We also touch on learnings from moving between rugby and football, the use of military style boot camps for sport and much more! TK is an excellent and insightful follow on social media, where he can be found under the handle @tkennellphysprep on Instagram and @TKPhysPrep on X/Twitter.

Culture Warrior: Michael Gragg, Head Strength & Conditioning Coach at Harding University Bisons Football on Culture, Going Undefeated & Building Staff Around Ex-Players

Michael Gragg is Head Strength and Conditioning Coach at the Harding University Bisons Football program, a D2 team with multiple undefeated seasons in recent memory. Michael tells the Inside Shoulder podcast about the culture and recruitment behind the Bisons' formidable record, about his own transition from playing to the coaching staff within the same team, as well as touching on performance from the weight room, to speed and the kind of combative work needed to prepare athletes for contact. The Harding Bisons football program is a Division II member of the Great American Conference, located in Searcy, Arkansas. The Bisons football coaching staff is made up entirely of ex-Bisons players, including the Head Coach. The Bisons were NCAA Division II national champions in 2023 after a perfect season. Michael can be found on Instagram at @mdgragg50 and on X/Twitter at @MichaelGragg - go follow!

Rhino Spirit: Chev Walker, Leeds Rhinos Assistant, Academy & Transition Coach, Former Great Britain International on Defensive Intent, Intensity & Systems Plus Developing Youth Talent

Chev Walker is a current Assistant Coach at Super League juggernauts, the Leeds Rhinos, a role he combines with coaching one of the most consistently successful Academy systems in the world and his new role as Transition Coach - taking responsibility for those promising young players and their path into the top tier professional ranks. As a player, Chev had a long and glittering career with the Leeds Rhinos as well as stints with Hull KR and Bradford Bulls. He also represented both Great Britain Lions and England on the international stage. In 2006-7, Chev made the transition to top level rugby union with Bath, and was also selected for the England Saxons representative side. In this episode we discuss aggression and collisions versus control, the different types of defensive systems, nurturing young talent, the difference between generations and much more.

Line Speed: France Head Coach Laurent Frayssinous on Missed Tackles, “French Flair” & More

Laurent Frayssinous is the current Head Coach of France and was previously St Helens Assistant Coach when the Saints were crowned World Club Champions, beating the formidable NRL champs the Penrith Panthers on their own turf. In addition to this he was previously Head Coach of the Catalans Dragons in Super League, having been a player for the club in their inaugural season. In this episode we discussed some of the ingredients that made St Helens world champs, their fearsome line speed and defensive intensity - and how they won Super League titles with the most missed tackles. Or in other words, why not all missed tackles are created equal. Most pertinently for his current role, we discussed what leading the French national team entails on a daily basis, what exactly is meant by the oft-cited term "French flair" and why it matters.