Remember Jerry Flannery, the Irish rugby legend and current Harlequins’ defence guru? Well, before helping Quins as their defence coach, Flannery had a surprising work placement – at Arsenal!

Back in 2013, Flannery swapped rugby rucks for football pitches, swapping Munster for the Emirates as he embarked on a work placement as an Arsenal Academy strength and conditioning coach.

It all started in 2012, when a calf injury forced Flannery into retirement at the age of 34. Fresh off completing his Masters in Sports Performance, he seized the opportunity to gain practical experience, joining the Gunners under the guidance of Connacht‘s Des Ryan, head of sports medicine and athletic development at the Academy during that time.

Flannery wasn’t the only Irish face at the Emirates back then. Dr. Gary O’Driscoll, former Irish team doctor, was still on board, along with physio Simon Harland and goalkeeper coach Gerry Peyton. Even Liam Brady, Arsenal legend and Academy chief, was there, with future Monaco and Columbus Crew assistant Kwame Ampadu coaching the youngsters.

It was a unique experience for Flannery, immersing himself in the world of elite football before returning to his rugby roots as Munster’s scrum coach in 2014. And now, his defensive expertise could land him the coveted Springboks Defence Coach role, drawing on his time alongside Rassie Erasmus and Jacques Nienaber at Munster.