Ex-Huddersfield Giants boss Ian Watson lands new coaching job in rugby union

Former Huddersfield Giants and Salford Red Devils coach Ian Watson has joined American rugby union outfit Seattle Seawolves. Watson has taken up an assistant coach role with the Major League Rugby side, despite having no previous experience in the 15-man code.

Watson has been out of work since leaving the Giants in July following a difficult run of form at the John Smith’s Stadium. He spent three and a half seasons in West Yorkshire and took the club to the 2022 Challenge Cup final.

The former Wales international had five years in charge at Salford Red Devils, where he found success by leading the club to the Grand Final in 2019 against the odds.

Rather than stick around and wait for another job in rugby league, though, Watson has decided to take up an opportunity stateside with the Seawolves, who finished as runners up in the MLR play-offs in 2024. He’ll be focusing his efforts mainly on the team’s defensive structure and back line.

“Moving from rugby league to rugby union is a very interesting and significant challenge, but after speaking to Allen (head coach Allen Clarke) about the club, staff, players, and the MLR, I felt it was an opportunity and experience I couldn’t miss,” Ian Watson told the club website.

“I’m very excited to join such an ambitious and quality organisation in the Seattle Seawolves.”

On his latest coach addition, Clarke said: “It’s wonderful to welcome Ian as assistant coach, with responsibility for our backs and team defence. It’s clear from working with him this week in the UK that he’s a quality coach.

“I’m excited for the impact he’ll have with the team. We welcome Ian, his wife Samantha, and daughters Phoebe and Scarlet to the Seawolves Family.”

Watson isn’t the first coach to make the move from Super League to the MLR, with Lee Radford taking up a role to work alongside Clarke at Dallas Jackals after leaving Hull FC. However, Radford was announced as head coach of Castleford Tigers just a few months later.