Lord of the Dance
Glenn Delaney: 'I don't think I've really had a chance to reflect'
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Glenn Delaney: 'I don't think I've really had a chance to reflect'

LONDON Irish interim head coach Glenn Delaney has admitted he has not "really had a chance to reflect" on whether he has enjoyed his first week in charge of the club.

Delaney was named interim head coach until the end of the season following the sudden departure of Brian Smith as director of rugby.

The New Zealander is forwards coach with the Exiles and has said he has not had to time to think about his new dual role.

"I don't think I've really had a chance to reflect on whether I've enjoyed it or I haven't!" he said.

"I think I'm in a fortunate position that I've not had too much time to dwell on it. There's plenty to do, you just get on with the job, keep trying to move the team forward and keep trying to win games.

"I haven't had too much of a chance to take stock but we'll see how it goes until the end of the season. Then I'll sit back and have a chance to see what I have done, what I may have done differently and reflect on it."

Delaney's new role with Irish is not the first time he has been head coach of a club.

Prior to joining the Hazelwood club, he was the boss of Championship side Nottingham and believes the experience he gained from that will help him in his new role.

"I done the role for eight years at my previous club. That experience has stood me in good stead to be able to cope.

"It's different pressures because it is the Premiership and Europe but I think have a chance to run a club for that period of time has been a good training ground.

"The players know they'll get honesty from me and my task is to make them as good as possible."

Delaney steps up to the position of interim head coach with the Exiles at a time when the club are looking to build for next season.

The club's Premiership status looks secured and a home quarter-final in the Challenge Cup beckons but Delaney still feels more can be achieved this year.

"We've got an opportunity in Europe (to win the tournament) and it is a great opportunity. We've got to realise that. We'll keep chipping away on that front.

"As regard to the league, we've had a couple of decent wins in the last month. Rugby doesn't stop in this country, there's always something to focus on.

"We need to keep trying to push ourselves up the league and our play to a level we're happy with. We'll keep setting mini-goals and staying in the present."