Building A British And Irish Expat Rugby Team

What happens when you take four proud rugby nations, bring them together under one jersey, and try to build a genuine representative team from scratch?

In this episode of Coaching Culture, I sit down with Dan Elsom, founder and Executive Director of British & Irish Expats Rugby, to unpack the story behind one of the more interesting new concepts in Australian rugby. What began as an idea during the British & Irish Lions tour has grown into a representative programme designed to bring together English, Irish, Scottish and Welsh players living in Australia — celebrating their heritage while creating opportunities beyond club rugby.

We get into what it actually takes to turn an idea into reality: finding players, building a coaching group, chasing sponsors, creating a brand, funding the project and, perhaps hardest of all, creating a culture between people who arrive with very different identities and backgrounds.

Dan also explains the bigger vision behind the inaugural Heritage Cup, where the British & Irish Expats take on the Pacific Warriors — bringing together eight rugby nations in one game and celebrating the cultures that make rugby what it is.

There’s a great leadership lesson running through this conversation.

Culture doesn’t necessarily require people to give up where they’ve come from. Sometimes the strongest culture is created when people are proud of where they’ve come from, but discover something new they can belong to together.

There’s also a genuine pathway element. The ambition is to give quality club players another representative platform, greater exposure and potentially opportunities with professional teams overseas.

And behind all of it is an important personal story. British & Irish Expats Rugby is supporting Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) in memory of Dan’s close friend and former Bishop’s Stortford clubmate Max Oliver — giving the project a purpose that reaches well beyond the rugby field.

A really enjoyable conversation for coaches, leaders, rugby people, expats, or anyone who has ever tried to build something new and bring different people together around a common purpose.

This is rugby as a vehicle for culture, connection, opportunity and belonging

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✅ About Coaching Culture with Ben Herring.

Welcome to Coaching Culture, where I host candid conversations with top rugby coaches and leaders from across industries to explore what it truly takes to build lasting, high-performing cultures. In each episode, we go beyond strategy to discuss trust, leadership, emotional intelligence, and the values that drive long-term success. From international rugby to grassroots sport, I aim to offer insights that will inspire and educate coaches and leaders everywhere.

My focus is on the cultural side of coaching – how to connect with people, deliver impactful messages, and create environments that foster growth. Whether you’re a rugby coach or a business leader, you’ll find valuable lessons. Join me to learn how we coach, lead, and create high-performance environments.

🔔 If you're looking for coaching & leadership skills, hit ! Stay tuned for candid conversations, expert insights, strategies, & inspiring stories.
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