Neil McCarthy (rugby union)

Neil McCarthy is an English former rugby union player.

Playing career

McCarthy was born in Slough. He played as a hooker but could also cover prop, and represented England at U16, U18, U21, Saxons and senior levels. He was involved with the England team from 1999 to 2000, including the 1999 Rugby World Cup.
McCarthy started his rugby career at Bath's academy before moving to Gloucester and then to Bristol, where his career was effectively ended in 2002 by a serious knee injury. McCarthy spent two years attempting to come back from the injury which included a final spell with Orrell Rugby, eventually retiring in 2004 after further complications from the original injury.

Coaching and management

He was Leicester Tigers Academy director from 2007 to 2015 and helped to develop future England players George Ford, Manu Tuilagi, Dan Cole, Tom Croft, Billy Twelvetrees and the Youngs brothers, Ben and Tom. In March 2015, McCarthy returned to Gloucester to become their new Head of academy. McCarthy moved into Olympic sport with British Skeleton based in Bath.