THROUGHOUT my professional career, I came across several coaches who all had different styles and ideas on how to coach a professional rugby team. At the elite level in any sport, there is a very small percentage between the top clubs and any team can beat another on the day. Therefore the question is: What makes a good coach a great coach?

Most coaches would possess one or two of the following: a good set of tactics, good management skills, good communication skills, plus an ability to handle the club politics. In my experience, the best rugby coaches I've played under ticked all the boxes and if I was to probe a little deeper, I would say the two main aspects of a great coach is his/her man-management and communication skills.

A great rugby coach is able to explain to their players on an individual and group basis what their aims and objectives are both on and off the field. When I started my professional career, in 1986, the coaching styles were totally different to what they are now.

The coaches who used to rant and rave and intimidate players wouldn't survive at the elite level of the modern game. The elite coaches of today get to know their players.

They talk to them and try to get to understand them, very much like a father figure. Obviously the coaches who are poor in this area tend to struggle.

Another point I observed, especially late in my career is that the great coaches had the ability to change direction depending on whether things were or were not working or if they needed improving. These types of coaches just seemed to be 100per cent focused on success.

In summary, being a great coach involves:

1. Having good management skills;

2. Being a good communicator;

3. Caring for players' individual needs;

4. Having good tactical skills; and

5. Having a sustained focus on success.