USA Rugby Appoints Blake Bradford Set Piece Specialist
Blake Bradford will oversee set piece development for the national performance pathways for men and women.
Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in People
Live Poll
Do you believe current national rugby pathway strategies effectively improve local player and coaching development?
USA Rugby has named Blake Bradford as its new Set Piece Specialist for the national performance pathways. He will focus on integrating technical standards from the Men's Eagles program throughout the pathway ranks.
Why it matters
This appointment aims to bolster long-term development of both players and coaches in preparation for the United States hosting the Rugby World Cups in 2031 and 2033.
Bradford brings extensive experience, including an 11-year coaching tenure at Life University and 3.5 years serving as the Scrum Coach for the Men's Eagles. He will now lead efforts to upskill coaches ahead of the 2031 and 2033 Rugby World Cups.
The players
Blake Bradford
He is a rugby coach who previously worked at Life University and served as the Scrum Coach for the Men's Eagles.
USA Rugby
This is the national governing body for rugby union in the United States and is responsible for developing performance pathways.
The details
Bradford will lead a mentoring program designed to identify and improve specialized scrum and set piece coaches across the country. His role is central to aligning technical standards across all national performance pathway tiers.
Timeline
2031: The United States will host the Men's Rugby World Cup.
2033: The United States will host the Women's Rugby World Cup.
Market Landscape
This move strengthens the infrastructure of USA Rugby's Performance Pathways by centralizing technical expertise. The strategy positions the organization to improve player and coach quality ahead of major international hosting commitments.
The appointment may influence the long-term competitive performance of national rugby teams that fans follow during international competitions. Supporters may see more consistent technical standards applied to developing athletes as the country prepares to host global tournaments.
The takeaway
Developing a deep bench of specialized coaching talent is essential for any nation preparing to host a major global event. Consistent technical standards can help bridge the gap between amateur development programs and elite international performance.
Further reading
For more information on organizational leadership, visit the United States People section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Eagles.
Live Poll
Do you believe current national rugby pathway strategies effectively improve local player and coaching development?
