Martin Haag named new Nottingham head coach

Nottingham have appointed former England international forward Martin Haag as their new head coach on a one-year contract.

The 44-year-old played 315 games for Bath before moving into coaching and left the Premiership side in May after a three-year spell as forwards coach.

"The opportunity to be a head coach was a big driver and this is an exciting club to be a part of," Haag said.

"I've been impressed by the board and their ambition."

Haag succeeds Glenn Delaney who spent seven years at Meadow Lane and is confident he can help the club secure Premiership rugby.

"Glenn was here for a long time and did a tremendous job," Haag said.

"I hope I can be here for nearly as long and take things the next step. We are not at a stage where we will be promoted next week, but we have a great opportunity to push for the top four where the board wants us to be.

"When I first came in to meet the board, looked at the home ground, Meadow Lane, toured the training facility at Lady Bay, I could see that this would be a fantastic place to be.

"There is incredible infrastructure here, we just have to build on it."

Chairman Alistair Bow said Haag's knowledge of the game, from youth development to the highest levels of the sport, makes him an exciting choice.

"This is an important appointment for the board to make and one that we are very proud to announce," Bow said.

"Martin's knowledge of the Championship, demands of the Premiership and academy coaching background, really fits the criteria of what we were looking for.

"This in an ambitious club and Martin is an ambitious coach who wants to get us to the Premiership. As a board we don't expect miracles, but we know he is going to give it a great go."

Ben Johnston, Neil Fowkes and Jo Brun will all remain part of the coaching set-up under Haag.