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{{Short description|Irish rugby union player and coach}}
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{{Infobox rugby biography
'''Mark McCall''' (born 29 November 1967 in [[Bangor, County Down]], [[Northern Ireland]]) is an Irish former [[rugby union]] player and current Director of Rugby (DoR) of [[Saracens F.C.]] While DoR for Saracens the team has won the English [[Premiership Rugby]] competition five times and the European Cup three times.<ref>[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/2018/05/26/premiership-final-2018-exeter-v-saracens-live-score-updates/ Vunipola brothers power Saracens to Premiership title No 4] Telegraph. Gavin Mairs. 26/05/18. Retrieved: 27/05/18</ref> He played 13 times for the [[Ireland national rugby union team]], making his debut against [[New Zealand national rugby union team|New Zealand]] on 30 May 1992 as a substitute.<ref name="RUS">[http://www.espnscrum.com/ireland/rugby/player/11206.html Mark McCall statistics from scrum.com]</ref>
|name = Mark McCall
|image =
|image_size =
|caption =
|full_name = Mark Conn McCall<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/champions-cup/on-the-mark/35710184.html |title=On the Mark |last=Kelly |first=David |date=13 May 2017 |newspaper=[[Irish Independent]] |access-date=30 May 2023}}</ref>
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1967|11|29}}
|birth_place = [[Bangor, County Down|Bangor]], Northern Ireland
|height = {{convert|1.77|m|ftin|0|abbr=on}}
|weight = {{convert|80|kg|st lbs|abbr=on}}
|ru_position = [[Rugby union positions#Centre|Inside Centre]]


| amatyears1 = 1986-1996
==Playing career==
| amatteam1 = [[Bangor RFC (Northern Ireland)|Bangor RFC]]
McCall (nicknamed "Smally")<ref name=":3">[https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/rugby/european-champions-cup/once-a-hero-with-ulster-now-modest-mccall-can-rule-europe-34713540.html Once a hero with Ulster, now modest McCall can rule Europe] Belfast Telegraph. Jonathan Bradley. 14/05/16. Retrieved:27/05/18</ref> played a [[Six Nations Championship|Five Nations]] match against [[Wales national rugby union team|Wales]] in 1994, and came off the bench to play against [[England national rugby union team|England]] in 1996 as well as [[Australia national rugby union team|Australia]] later that year. He played four times in 1997; against New Zealand, [[Canada national rugby union team|Canada]] and twice against [[Italy national rugby union team|Italy]]. He also played against [[Scotland national rugby union team|Scotland]] and England in the 1998 Five Nations, finishing his career later that year with two matches against [[South Africa national rugby union team|South Africa]]. His entire thirteen match career went without him scoring a single point internationally. He scored more than 100 points for his club career.{{cn|date=May 2018}} He was forced to retire as a player at the age of 31 due to a prolapsed disc.<ref name=":1">[https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/european-cup/mark-mccall-the-quiet-irishman-behind-saracens-success-1.2621314 Mark McCall: The quiet Irishman behind Saracens’ success] Irish Times. Gerry Thornley. 22/04/16. Retrieved: 27/05/18</ref>
| amatyears2 = 1996-97
| amatteam2 = [[Dungannon RFC]]
| years1 = 1989-1997
| clubs1 = [[Ulster Rugby|Ulster]]
| years2 = 1997-1998
| clubs2 = [[London Irish]]
| years3 = 1998
| clubs3 = [[Ulster Rugby|Ulster]]
|repyears1 = 1992–1998
|repteam1 = [[Ireland national rugby union team|Ireland]]
|repcaps1 = 13
|reppoints1 = 0
|coachyears1 = 1999–2004
|coachteams1 = [[Ulster Rugby|Ulster]] (assistant)
|coachyears2 = 2003–2004
|coachteams2 = [[Ireland national under-20 rugby union team|Ireland U21]] (head coach)
|coachyears3 = 2004–2007
|coachteams3 = [[Ulster Rugby|Ulster]] (head coach)
|coachyears4 = 2007–2009
|coachteams4 = [[Castres Olympique|Castres]] (backs coach)
|coachyears5 = 2009–2011
|coachteams5 = [[Saracens F.C.|Saracens]] (assistant)
|coachyears6 = 2011–
|coachteams6 = [[Saracens F.C.|Saracens]] (director of rugby)
|spouse =
|children = 2
|school = [[Bangor Grammar School]]
|university = [[Queen's University Belfast]]
|relatives = [[Conn McCall]] (father)
}}


'''Mark Conn McCall''' (born 29 November 1967) is an Irish professional [[rugby union]] coach and former player, who is the current director of rugby of [[Premiership Rugby]] club [[Saracens F.C.|Saracens]]. Arriving as an assistant in 2009 and taking charge of the first-team in 2011, he is considered one of the greatest club managers of all time and holds the record for the most English championships won with six Premiership trophies. McCall also led Saracens to three [[European Rugby Champions Cup]] wins.<ref name="42ie">{{cite news |url=https://www.the42.ie/saracens-mark-mccall-6079248-May2023 |title=Ex-Ireland centre McCall guides Saracens to sixth Premiership title |last=Kinsella |first=Murray |date=27 May 2023 |website=[[TheJournal.ie#The42.ie|The42.ie]] |access-date=30 May 2023 |url-access=subscription}}</ref>
McCall then coached Ulster and won the [[Pro14|Celtic League]] (now the [[Pro14]]) in 2006, with a brief spell at [[Castres Olympique|Castres]] before moving to Saracens.<ref name="RUS" />


As a player, McCall was an [[Rugby union positions#Centre|inside centre]] and spent the majority of his career with [[Ulster Rugby|Ulster]]. He was [[Cap (sport)|capped]] 13 times for the [[Ireland national rugby union team|Ireland national team]], making his debut against [[New Zealand national rugby union team|New Zealand]] on 30 May 1992 as a substitute.<ref name="ESPN">{{cite web |url=http://en.espn.co.uk/ireland/rugby/player/11206.html |title=Mark McCall |website=[[ESPN]] |access-date=30 May 2023}}</ref>
==Coaching career==
McCall's career in coaching originated at Ulster but has also included short stints with Ireland A and Castres, before moving to Saracens.


===Ulster===
==Early life==
Mark McCall was born on {{Birth date|1967|11|29|df=yes}} in [[Bangor, County Down|Bangor]], Northern Ireland.<ref name="ESPN"/> His father, [[Conn McCall]], was a prominent sportsman, playing cricket for [[Ireland cricket team|Ireland]] and rugby for [[Bangor RFC (Northern Ireland)|Bangor]], and serving as president of the [[Cricket Ireland|Irish Cricket Union]] and co-president of the [[Irish Rugby Football Union|IRFU]].<ref name=":3"/><ref>[http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/ci/content/player/24440.html Profile of his father] at [[Cricinfo]]</ref> Mark attended [[Bangor Grammar School]],<ref name="BT0514">{{cite news |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/life/what-lies-in-store-for-mark-mccall-today/30299466.html |title=What lies in store for Mark McCall today? |last=Sadlier |first=Michael |date=24 May 2014 |newspaper=[[Belfast Telegraph]] |access-date=30 May 2023}}</ref> and played fly-half for their rugby team as they won two successive [[Ulster Schools' Cup]] finals in 1985 and 1986, excelling to the point of becoming captain of the first team.<ref name="BT0514"/>


==Playing career==
After a brief pause, post-retirement McCall started as a formal coach for both Ireland U21s and [[Ireland Wolfhounds|Ireland A]] as well as a deputy coach for Ulster. This converted to a full time position by 2001 and in 2004, with the departure of [[Alan Solomons]] he became Head Coach at Ulster.<ref name=":3"/><ref name=":4">[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/2325693/Mark-McCall-quits-as-Ulster-Rugby-coach.html Mark McCall quits as Ulster Rugby coach] Telegraph. Andy Hooper. 13/11/07. Retrieved: 27/05/18</ref> In 2006 McCall would take Ulster to victory in the Celtic Cup.<ref name=":3"/> Under his tutelage nine Ulster players played in the Irish team, the highest number since the game went professional.<ref>[http://www.espnscrum.com/ireland/rugby/player/11206.html ESPNscrum News Profile Summary]</ref> However, within 18 months, McCall handed his resignation with Ulster bottom of the Magners League and poor European performance.<ref name=":4"/>
Nicknamed "Smally",<ref name=":3">{{cite news |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/rugby/european-champions-cup/once-a-hero-with-ulster-now-modest-mccall-can-rule-europe-34713540.html |title=Once a hero with Ulster, now modest McCall can rule Europe |work=Belfast Telegraph |first=Jonathan |last=Bradley |date=14 May 2016 |access-date=27 May 2018}}</ref> he played club rugby for Bangor, later for [[Dungannon RFC|Dungannon]],<ref>Jim Stokes, "McCall on move to raise profile", ''Belfast Telegraph'', 12 January 1996</ref> and representative rugby for [[Ulster Rugby|Ulster]], making his provincial debut in 1989.<ref>Bruce McKendry, ''Champions: The Players' Story'', IRFU (Ulster Branch), 1999, p. 28</ref> He made his debut for [[Ireland national rugby union team|Ireland]] in the [[1992 Ireland rugby union tour of New Zealand|1992 tour of New Zealand]], and made occasional appearances before becoming a regular in the team in 1997 and 1998.<ref name="LastAm">{{cite book |last=Bradley |first=Jonathan |date=12 October 2018 |title=The Last Amateurs: The Incredible Story of Ulster Rugby’s 1999 European Champions |location=Belfast |publisher=Blackstaff Press |isbn=978-1780731810}}</ref>{{rp|page=53}} In 1997 he was offered a full-time contract with Ulster, but turned it down to sign for [[London Irish]].<ref>Jim Stokes, "Mark off to join Exiles", ''Belfast Telegraph'', 17 July 1997.</ref> He returned to Ulster the following season, and was named captain by coach Harry Williams.<ref name="LastAm"/>{{rp|54}} However, he was forced to retire as a player at the age of 31 due to a prolapsed disc<ref name="ESPN"/><ref name=":1">{{cite news |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/european-cup/mark-mccall-the-quiet-irishman-behind-saracens-success-1.2621314 |title=Mark McCall: The quiet Irishman behind Saracens' success |work=Irish Times |first=Gerry |last=Thornley |date=22 April 2016 |accessdate=27 May 2018 }}</ref> sustained while playing for Ulster against [[Glasgow District (rugby union)|Glasgow]] in August 1998, and he was unable to participate in Ulster's [[1998–99 Heineken Cup]]-winning campaign.<ref name="LastAm"/>{{rp|pages=55–56}}

==Coaching career==
===Ulster===
After a brief pause, post-retirement McCall started as a formal coach for both Ireland U21s and [[Ireland Wolfhounds|Ireland A]] as well as a deputy coach for [[Ulster Rugby|Ulster]]. This converted to a full time position by 2001 and in 2004, with the departure of [[Alan Solomons]] he became Head Coach at Ulster.<ref name=":3"/><ref name=":4">{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/2325693/Mark-McCall-quits-as-Ulster-Rugby-coach.html |title=Mark McCall quits as Ulster Rugby coach |work=The Telegraph |first=Andy |last=Hooper |date=13 November 2007 |accessdate=27 May 2018 }}</ref> In 2006, McCall would take Ulster to victory in the Celtic Cup.<ref name=":3"/> Under his tutelage nine Ulster players played in the Irish team, the highest number since the game went professional.<ref>[http://www.espnscrum.com/ireland/rugby/player/11206.html ESPNscrum News Profile Summary]</ref> However, within 18 months, McCall handed his resignation with Ulster bottom of the Magners League and poor European performance.<ref name=":4"/>


===Castres===
===Castres===
McCall, along with friend and fellow Ulsterman [[Jeremy Davidson (rugby union)|Jeremy Davidson]], joined a new coaching team being established at [[Castres Olympique|Castres]] after dismissals forced by a poor early start and team dissension.<ref name=":3"/><ref name=":5">{{cite news |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/rugby/new-chapter-for-mccall-at-castres-28070491.html |title=New chapter for McCall at Castres |work=Belfast Telegraph |first=Gavin |last=Mears |date=11 December 2007 |accessdate=27 May 2018 }}</ref> The new coaching setup's minimum target was to ensure a top-six finish (to guarantee [[Heineken Cup]] qualification), which was managed with a fifth-place finish.<ref name=":5"/>

McCall, along with friend and fellow Ulsterman [[Jeremy Davidson (rugby union)|Jeremy Davidson]], joined a new coaching team being established at Castres after dismissals forced by a poor early start and team dissension.<ref name=":3"/><ref name=":5">[https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/rugby/new-chapter-for-mccall-at-castres-28070491.html New chapter for McCall at Castres] Belfast Telegraph. Gavin Mears. 11/12/07. Retrieved: 27/05/18</ref> The new coaching setup's minimum target was to ensure a top 6 finish (to guarantee [[Heineken cup|Heineken]] qualification), which was managed with a 5th place finish.<ref name=":5"/>


===Saracens===
===Saracens===
He signed with [[Premiership Rugby]] side Saracens to join up with new coach [[Brendan Venter]] for the 09/10 season as first team coach; after Brendan Venter left midway through the 2010/2011 season he took charge as Director of Rugby, at the beginning of 2013 he renewed his contract until the end of 2015.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/20935371.html BBC - Mark McCall signs new Contract]</ref> In the 2010/2011 season his team was unbeaten and went on to win the Premiership.<ref name="BBC sports 2010/2011 league final">[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/english/9496362.html BBC Sports 2011 rugby championship final]</ref> In the 2012 season he managed them to go on to be the only English team to qualify for the Heineken Cup.<ref>[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/club/9190690/Heineken-Cup-2012-Saracens-strive-to-reach-new-heights.html Heineken Cup 2012: Saracens strive to reach new heights
He signed with [[Premiership Rugby]] side [[Saracens F.C.|Saracens]] to join up with new coach [[Brendan Venter]] for the 09/10 season as first team coach; after Brendan Venter left midway through the 2010/2011 season he took charge as Director of Rugby, at the beginning of 2013 he renewed his contract until the end of 2015.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/20935371.html BBC - Mark McCall signs new contract]</ref> In the 2010–11 season his team was unbeaten and went on to win the Premiership.<ref name="BBC sports 2010/2011 league final">[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/english/9496362.html BBC Sports 2011 rugby championship final]</ref> In the 2012 season he managed them to go on to be the only English team to qualify for the Heineken Cup.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/club/9190690/Heineken-Cup-2012-Saracens-strive-to-reach-new-heights.html |title=Heineken Cup 2012: Saracens strive to reach new heights |work=The Telegraph |first=Mike |last=Cleary |date=6 April 2012 |accessdate=27 May 2018 }}</ref>

] Telegraph. Mike Cleary. 06/04/12. Retrieved: 27/05/18</ref>
McCall, though he has appeared far less in the news than his predecessor, who was penalised several times for speaking against rugby's organising bodies,<ref>{{cite web |title=Saracens and Brendan Venter hit with double penalty in week of woe |website=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220601012311/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/club/8111265/Saracens-and-Brendan-Venter-hit-with-double-penalty-in-week-of-woe.html |archive-date=2022-06-01 |url-status=live |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/club/8111265/Saracens-and-Brendan-Venter-hit-with-double-penalty-in-week-of-woe.html}}</ref> was notable in attacking the difficulties being faced by English teams within the Heineken Cup.<ref>[http://www.espnscrum.com/heineken-cup-2011-12/rugby/story/162553.html ESPNscrum News McCall Speech on Wagecap]</ref> He has also appeared in the news for his radical increasing of the rotation system at Saracens, despite occasional controversy, either on account of lost chances by Saracens or accusations that rotational policy undermines the sport. Although this seems to be successful for McCall.<ref>{{cite news |title=Watford News Saracens Stick with Rotational Policy |url=http://m.watfordobserver.co.uk/sport/9954211.Sarries_set_to_rotate_again_for_Quins_test/.html |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715005606/http://m.watfordobserver.co.uk/sport/9954211.Sarries_set_to_rotate_again_for_Quins_test/.html/ |archivedate=15 July 2014 }}</ref>

McCall defeated [[Harlequins F.C.|Harlequins]] to win Saracens' first European Semi-final to lead Saracens to the Heineken [[2014 Heineken Cup Final|Cup Final in 2014]] where they lost to Toulon.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/27561342 |title=Heineken Cup final: Saracens 6-23 Toulon |work=BBC Sport |first=Chris |last=Osbourne |date=24 May 2014 }}</ref>

In 2015 McCall's Saracens won the Aviva Premiership against Bath 28-16.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.rugbydump.com/2015/06/4337/saracens-defeat-bath-to-win-the-2014-2015-aviva-premiership-title |title=Saracens defeat Bath to win the 2014-2015 Aviva Premiership title |work=RugbyDump |date=1 June 2015 |accessdate=27 May 2018 }}</ref>

The 2015–16 season saw McCall take his team to even higher heights by successfully completing the double. Saracens successfully retaining the Aviva Premiership trophy by defeating Exeter 28-20 while defeating [[Racing 92]] in the [[2016 European Rugby Champions Cup Final|second final]] of the European Champions Cup. McCall's rotation strategy proved particularly successful, enabling Saracens to win all 9 games in the Cup - a first in European rugby.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/36267607 |title=Saracens beat Racing 92 |work=BBC Sport |first=James |last=Standley |date=14 May 2016 |accessdate=27 May 2018 }}</ref> While McCall has been significantly quieter in the media than his predecessor, he openly challenged the timing of an England training session shortly before the ECC began which led to multiple player injuries.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/oct/06/saracens-mark-mccall-england-injuries-rfu |title=Saracens' Mark McCall hits out at RFU after England training camp injuries |work=The Guardian |first=Paul |last=Rees |date=6 October 2016 |accessdate=27 May 2018 }}</ref>


The 2016–17 season would allow a double at the ECC Cup, beating Clermont 28-17 before an early knock-out in the AP, losing in the semi-finals against Exeter.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/39857333 |title=European Champions Cup: Saracens beat Clermont 28-17 |work=BBC Sport |first=James |last=Standley |date=13 May 2017 |accessdate=27 May 2018 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/39938414 |title=Premiership semi-final: Exeter Chiefs 18-16 Saracens |work=BBC Sport |first=Brent |last=Pilnick |date=20 May 2017 |accessdate=27 May 2018 }}</ref>
McCall, though he has appeared far less in the news than his predecessor, who was penalised several times for speaking against rugby's organising bodies,<ref>[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/club/8111265/Saracens-and-Brendan-Venter-hit-with-double-penalty-in-week-of-woe.html Brendan Venter penalised]</ref> was notable in attacking the difficulties being faced by English teams within the Heineken Cup.<ref>[http://www.espnscrum.com/heineken-cup-2011-12/rugby/story/162553.html ESPNscrum News McCall Speech on Wagecap]</ref> He has also appeared in the news for his radical increasing of the rotation system at Saracens, despite occasional controversy, either on account of lost chances by Saracens or accusations that rotational policy undermines the sport. Although this seems to be successful for McCall.<ref>[http://m.watfordobserver.co.uk/sport/9954211.Sarries_set_to_rotate_again_for_Quins_test/.html Watford News Saracens Stick with Rotational Policy] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715005606/http://m.watfordobserver.co.uk/sport/9954211.Sarries_set_to_rotate_again_for_Quins_test/.html/ |date=15 July 2014 }}</ref>


Heading into the 2017/18 season McCall would note the knock-on effects of the [[2017 British & Irish Lions tour to New Zealand|Lions tour]] – tiredness and, especially, lack of pre-season time.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://subscriber.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/2018/05/17/four-leading-directors-rugby-games-big-issues-player-welfare/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180528133438/http://subscriber.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/2018/05/17/four-leading-directors-rugby-games-big-issues-player-welfare/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=28 May 2018 |title=Four leading directors of rugby on the game's big issues |work=The Telegraph |first=Mike |last=Cleary |accessdate=27 May 2018 }}</ref> This looked to become true as Saracens fell into a seven-game losing streak (the worst in over a decade) towards the end of 2017, with a bare mathematical scrape into the ECC Quarter-Finals.<ref name=":2">{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/premiership-final-2018-exeter-chiefs-vs-saracens-mark-mccall-billy-vunipola-injury-england-a8370896.html |title=Saracens banish their 'ghosts' with Premiership final victory |work=The Independent |first=Jack |last=De Menezes |date=26 May 2018 |accessdate=27 May 2018 }}</ref> Saracens would then be knocked out against Leinster (the ultimate ECC champions), their earliest departure in six years.<ref name=":2"/> However additional rest time enabled a strong AP run-in, with a 27-10 defeat of Exeter to retake the AP trophy.<ref name=":2"/>
McCall defeated [[Harlequins F.C.|Harlequins]] to win Saracens' first European Semi-final to lead Saracens to the Heineken [[2014 Heineken Cup Final|Cup Final in 2014]] where they lost to Toulon.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/27561342 Heineken Cup final: Saracens 6-23 Toulon] BBC. Chris Osbourne. 24/05/14.</ref>


While McCall is frequently known as quiet and generally turns down interviews, his performances and widespread respect have also led to him being awarded the Aviva Premiership Director of Rugby in 2012/13, 2013/14, 2015/16 and 2018/19.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/may/18/saracens-sweep-honours-premiership-awards-alex-goode-maro-itoje |title=Saracens sweep honours at Premiership end-of-season awards night |work=The Guardian |first=Robert |last=Kitson |date=18 May 2016 |accessdate=27 May 2018 }}</ref><ref name="DOR19">{{Cite web|url=https://www.premiershiprugby.com/2019/05/22/danny-cipriani-crowned-gallagher-premiership-rugby-player-of-the-season/|publisher=Premiership Rugby|date=22 May 2019|accessdate=11 August 2019|title=Danny Cipriani crowned Gallagher Premiership Rugby Player of the Season}}</ref>
In 2015 McCall's Saracens won the Aviva Premiership against Bath 28-16.<ref>[http://www.rugbydump.com/2015/06/4337/saracens-defeat-bath-to-win-the-2014-2015-aviva-premiership-title Saracens defeat Bath to win the 2014-2015 Aviva Premiership title] RugbyDump. 01/06/15. Retrieved: 27/05/18</ref>


In April 2021, he signed a four-year contract extension which will see him remain at Saracens until at least the 2024–25 season.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Shapley|first=Oli|date=2021-04-20|title=Saracens coaching team agree new long-term contracts|url=https://www.saracens.com/saracens-coaching-team-agree-new-long-term-contracts/|access-date=2021-04-20|website=Saracens|language=en-GB}}</ref> In January 2022 it was confirmed he would take a short break from the role for medical reasons.<ref>{{Cite web|title=CLUB STATEMENT {{!}} Mark McCall|url=https://www.saracens.com/club-statement-mark-mccall/|access-date=2022-01-28|language=en-GB}}</ref> He returned in March 2022.
The 2015/16 season saw McCall take his team to even higher heights by successfully completing the double. Saracens successfully retaining the Aviva Premiership trophy by defeating Exeter 28-20 while defeating [[Racing 92]] in the [[2016 European Rugby Champions Cup Final|second final]] of the European Champions Cup. McCall's rotation strategy proved particularly successful, enabling Saracens to win all 9 games in the Cup - a first in European rugby.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/36267607 Saracens beat Racing 92] BBC. James Standley. 14/05/16. Retrieved: 27/05/18</ref>. While McCall has been significantly quieter in the media than his predecessor, he openly challenged the timing of an England training session shortly before the ECC began which led to multiple player injuries.<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/oct/06/saracens-mark-mccall-england-injuries-rfu Saracens’ Mark McCall hits out at RFU after England training camp injuries] Guardian. Paul Rees. 06/10/16. Retrieved: 27/05/18</ref>


On 27 May 2023, he won his sixth English Premiership Rugby title, beating 35–25 [[Sale Sharks]] in the [[2022–23 Premiership Rugby#Final|final]].<ref name="42ie"/>
The 2016/17 season would allow a double at the ECC Cup, beating Clermont 28-17 before an early knock-out in the AP, losing in the Semi-Finals against Exeter.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/39857333 European Champions Cup: Saracens beat Clermont 28-17] BBC. James Standley. 13/05/17. Retrieved: 27/05/18</ref><ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/39938414 Premiership semi-final: Exeter Chiefs 18-16 Saracens] BBC. Brent Pilnick. 20/05/17. Retrieved: 27/05/18</ref>


==Personal life==
Heading into the 2017/18 season McCall would note the knock-on effects of the [[2017 British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand|Lions tour]] - tiredness and, especially, lack of pre-season time.<ref>[http://subscriber.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/2018/05/17/four-leading-directors-rugby-games-big-issues-player-welfare/ Four leading directors of rugby on the game's big issues:] Telegraph. Mike Cleary. Retrieved: 27/05/18</ref> This looked to become true as Saracens fell into a 7 game losing streak (the worst in over a decade) towards the end of 2017, with a bare mathematical scrape into the ECC Quarter-Finals.<ref name=":2">[https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/premiership-final-2018-exeter-chiefs-vs-saracens-mark-mccall-billy-vunipola-injury-england-a8370896.html Saracens banish their 'ghosts' with Premiership final victory] Independent. Jack de Menezes. 26/05/18. Retrieved: 27/05/18</ref> Saracens would then be knocked out against Leinster (the ultimate ECC champions), their earliest departure in six years.<ref name=":2"/> However additional rest time enabled a strong AP run-in, with a 27-10 defeat of Exeter to retake the AP trophy.<ref name=":2"/>
A [[Queen's University Belfast]] graduate, McCall has a law degree (a qualification he shared with his brother, Peter) and during rugby union's amateur era he worked for the [[Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland|Independent Commission for Police Complaints]].<ref name="LastAm"/>{{rp|47-51}} He worked part-time at a solicitor's office between retiring as player and taking up coaching.<ref name=":1"/><ref name="BT0514"/>


He has two children – Bryn and Jemma – who were born two years apart.<ref name=":3"/>
While McCall is frequently known as quiet and generally turns down interviews, his performances and widespread respect have also led to him being awarded the Aviva Premiership Director of Rugby in 2012/13, 2013/14, 2015/16 and 2018/19.<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/may/18/saracens-sweep-honours-premiership-awards-alex-goode-maro-itoje Saracens sweep honours at Premiership end-of-season awards night] Guardian. Robert Kitson. 18/05/16. Retrieved: 27/05/18</ref><ref name="DOR19">{{Cite web|url=https://www.premiershiprugby.com/2019/05/22/danny-cipriani-crowned-gallagher-premiership-rugby-player-of-the-season/|publisher=Premiership Rugby|date=22 May 2019|accessdate=11 August 2019|title=Danny Cipriani crowned Gallagher Premiership Rugby Player of the Season}}</ref>


==Personal==
==Honours==
===Coach===
McCall went to school at [[Bangor Grammar School|Bangor Grammar]] in Northern Ireland where he learnt rugby and excelled to the point of becoming captain of the first team. He was also a first team cricket player, as was his father [[Conn McCall|Conn]] who played [[cricket]] for [[Ireland cricket team|Ireland]].<ref name=":3"/><ref>[http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/ci/content/player/24440.html Profile of his father] at [[Cricinfo]]</ref>
====Ulster====
* [[United Rugby Championship|Celtic League]]: [[2005–06 Celtic League|2005–06]]


====Saracens====
McCall has a law degree (a qualification he shared with his brother, Peter) and worked part time at a solicitor's office between retiring as player and taking up coaching.<ref name=":1"/>
* [[European Rugby Champions Cup]]: [[2015–16 European Rugby Champions Cup|2015–16]], [[2016–17 European Rugby Champions Cup|2016–17]], [[2018–19 European Rugby Champions Cup|2018–19]]
* [[Premiership Rugby]]: [[2010–11 Premiership Rugby|2010–11]], [[2014–15 Premiership Rugby|2014–15]], [[2015–16 Premiership Rugby|2015–16]], [[2017–18 Premiership Rugby|2017–18]], [[2018–19 Premiership Rugby|2018–19]], [[2022–23 Premiership Rugby|2022–23]]
* [[Anglo-Welsh Cup]]: [[2014–15 LV Cup|2014–15]]
* [[RFU Championship]]: [[2020–21 RFU Championship|2020–21]]
* [[European Rugby Champions Cup|Heineken Cup]] runner-up: [[2013–14 Heineken Cup|2013–14]]
* [[Premiership Rugby]] runner-up: [[2013–14 Premiership Rugby|2013–14]], [[2021–22 Premiership Rugby|2021–22]]
* [[Premiership Rugby Cup]] runner-up: [[2018–19 Premiership Rugby Cup|2018–19]]


====Individual====
He has two children: Bryn and Jemma who were born two years apart.<ref name=":3"/>
* Premiership Coach of the Year: [[2012–13 Premiership Rugby|2012–13]], [[2013–14 Premiership Rugby|2013–14]], [[2015–16 Premiership Rugby|2015–16]], [[2018–19 Premiership Rugby|2018–19]], [[2022–23 Premiership Rugby|2022–23]]


==References==
==References==
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[[Category:London Irish players]]
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[[Category:Ulster Rugby non-playing staff]]
[[Category:People educated at Bangor Grammar School]]
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[[Category:People from Bangor, County Down]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Bangor, County Down]]
[[Category:Dungannon RFC players]]
[[Category:Dungannon RFC players]]
[[Category:Rugby union players from County Down]]
[[Category:Rugby union players from County Down]]
[[Category:Saracens F.C. coaches]]
[[Category:Rugby union centres]]
[[Category:Bangor RFC (Northern Ireland) players]]

Latest revision as of 10:43, 20 February 2024

Mark McCall
Full nameMark Conn McCall[1]
Date of birth (1967-11-29) 29 November 1967 (age 56)
Place of birthBangor, Northern Ireland
Height1.77 m (5 ft 10 in)
Weight80 kg (13 st; 180 lb)
SchoolBangor Grammar School
UniversityQueen's University Belfast
Notable relative(s)Conn McCall (father)
Children2
Rugby union career
Position(s) Inside Centre
Amateur team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
1986-1996 Bangor RFC ()
1996-97 Dungannon RFC ()
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
1989-1997 Ulster ()
1997-1998 London Irish ()
1998 Ulster ()
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
1992–1998 Ireland 13 (0)
Coaching career
Years Team
1999–2004 Ulster (assistant)
2003–2004 Ireland U21 (head coach)
2004–2007 Ulster (head coach)
2007–2009 Castres (backs coach)
2009–2011 Saracens (assistant)
2011– Saracens (director of rugby)

Mark Conn McCall (born 29 November 1967) is an Irish professional rugby union coach and former player, who is the current director of rugby of Premiership Rugby club Saracens. Arriving as an assistant in 2009 and taking charge of the first-team in 2011, he is considered one of the greatest club managers of all time and holds the record for the most English championships won with six Premiership trophies. McCall also led Saracens to three European Rugby Champions Cup wins.[2]

As a player, McCall was an inside centre and spent the majority of his career with Ulster. He was capped 13 times for the Ireland national team, making his debut against New Zealand on 30 May 1992 as a substitute.[3]

Early life[edit]

Mark McCall was born on (1967-11-29)29 November 1967 in Bangor, Northern Ireland.[3] His father, Conn McCall, was a prominent sportsman, playing cricket for Ireland and rugby for Bangor, and serving as president of the Irish Cricket Union and co-president of the IRFU.[4][5] Mark attended Bangor Grammar School,[6] and played fly-half for their rugby team as they won two successive Ulster Schools' Cup finals in 1985 and 1986, excelling to the point of becoming captain of the first team.[6]

Playing career[edit]

Nicknamed "Smally",[4] he played club rugby for Bangor, later for Dungannon,[7] and representative rugby for Ulster, making his provincial debut in 1989.[8] He made his debut for Ireland in the 1992 tour of New Zealand, and made occasional appearances before becoming a regular in the team in 1997 and 1998.[9]: 53  In 1997 he was offered a full-time contract with Ulster, but turned it down to sign for London Irish.[10] He returned to Ulster the following season, and was named captain by coach Harry Williams.[9]: 54  However, he was forced to retire as a player at the age of 31 due to a prolapsed disc[3][11] sustained while playing for Ulster against Glasgow in August 1998, and he was unable to participate in Ulster's 1998–99 Heineken Cup-winning campaign.[9]: 55–56 

Coaching career[edit]

Ulster[edit]

After a brief pause, post-retirement McCall started as a formal coach for both Ireland U21s and Ireland A as well as a deputy coach for Ulster. This converted to a full time position by 2001 and in 2004, with the departure of Alan Solomons he became Head Coach at Ulster.[4][12] In 2006, McCall would take Ulster to victory in the Celtic Cup.[4] Under his tutelage nine Ulster players played in the Irish team, the highest number since the game went professional.[13] However, within 18 months, McCall handed his resignation with Ulster bottom of the Magners League and poor European performance.[12]

Castres[edit]

McCall, along with friend and fellow Ulsterman Jeremy Davidson, joined a new coaching team being established at Castres after dismissals forced by a poor early start and team dissension.[4][14] The new coaching setup's minimum target was to ensure a top-six finish (to guarantee Heineken Cup qualification), which was managed with a fifth-place finish.[14]

Saracens[edit]

He signed with Premiership Rugby side Saracens to join up with new coach Brendan Venter for the 09/10 season as first team coach; after Brendan Venter left midway through the 2010/2011 season he took charge as Director of Rugby, at the beginning of 2013 he renewed his contract until the end of 2015.[15] In the 2010–11 season his team was unbeaten and went on to win the Premiership.[16] In the 2012 season he managed them to go on to be the only English team to qualify for the Heineken Cup.[17]

McCall, though he has appeared far less in the news than his predecessor, who was penalised several times for speaking against rugby's organising bodies,[18] was notable in attacking the difficulties being faced by English teams within the Heineken Cup.[19] He has also appeared in the news for his radical increasing of the rotation system at Saracens, despite occasional controversy, either on account of lost chances by Saracens or accusations that rotational policy undermines the sport. Although this seems to be successful for McCall.[20]

McCall defeated Harlequins to win Saracens' first European Semi-final to lead Saracens to the Heineken Cup Final in 2014 where they lost to Toulon.[21]

In 2015 McCall's Saracens won the Aviva Premiership against Bath 28-16.[22]

The 2015–16 season saw McCall take his team to even higher heights by successfully completing the double. Saracens successfully retaining the Aviva Premiership trophy by defeating Exeter 28-20 while defeating Racing 92 in the second final of the European Champions Cup. McCall's rotation strategy proved particularly successful, enabling Saracens to win all 9 games in the Cup - a first in European rugby.[23] While McCall has been significantly quieter in the media than his predecessor, he openly challenged the timing of an England training session shortly before the ECC began which led to multiple player injuries.[24]

The 2016–17 season would allow a double at the ECC Cup, beating Clermont 28-17 before an early knock-out in the AP, losing in the semi-finals against Exeter.[25][26]

Heading into the 2017/18 season McCall would note the knock-on effects of the Lions tour – tiredness and, especially, lack of pre-season time.[27] This looked to become true as Saracens fell into a seven-game losing streak (the worst in over a decade) towards the end of 2017, with a bare mathematical scrape into the ECC Quarter-Finals.[28] Saracens would then be knocked out against Leinster (the ultimate ECC champions), their earliest departure in six years.[28] However additional rest time enabled a strong AP run-in, with a 27-10 defeat of Exeter to retake the AP trophy.[28]

While McCall is frequently known as quiet and generally turns down interviews, his performances and widespread respect have also led to him being awarded the Aviva Premiership Director of Rugby in 2012/13, 2013/14, 2015/16 and 2018/19.[29][30]

In April 2021, he signed a four-year contract extension which will see him remain at Saracens until at least the 2024–25 season.[31] In January 2022 it was confirmed he would take a short break from the role for medical reasons.[32] He returned in March 2022.

On 27 May 2023, he won his sixth English Premiership Rugby title, beating 35–25 Sale Sharks in the final.[2]

Personal life[edit]

A Queen's University Belfast graduate, McCall has a law degree (a qualification he shared with his brother, Peter) and during rugby union's amateur era he worked for the Independent Commission for Police Complaints.[9]: 47–51  He worked part-time at a solicitor's office between retiring as player and taking up coaching.[11][6]

He has two children – Bryn and Jemma – who were born two years apart.[4]

Honours[edit]

Coach[edit]

Ulster[edit]

Saracens[edit]

Individual[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Kelly, David (13 May 2017). "On the Mark". Irish Independent. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  2. ^ a b Kinsella, Murray (27 May 2023). "Ex-Ireland centre McCall guides Saracens to sixth Premiership title". The42.ie. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  3. ^ a b c "Mark McCall". ESPN. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  4. ^ a b c d e f Bradley, Jonathan (14 May 2016). "Once a hero with Ulster, now modest McCall can rule Europe". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 27 May 2018.
  5. ^ Profile of his father at Cricinfo
  6. ^ a b c Sadlier, Michael (24 May 2014). "What lies in store for Mark McCall today?". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  7. ^ Jim Stokes, "McCall on move to raise profile", Belfast Telegraph, 12 January 1996
  8. ^ Bruce McKendry, Champions: The Players' Story, IRFU (Ulster Branch), 1999, p. 28
  9. ^ a b c d Bradley, Jonathan (12 October 2018). The Last Amateurs: The Incredible Story of Ulster Rugby’s 1999 European Champions. Belfast: Blackstaff Press. ISBN 978-1780731810.
  10. ^ Jim Stokes, "Mark off to join Exiles", Belfast Telegraph, 17 July 1997.
  11. ^ a b Thornley, Gerry (22 April 2016). "Mark McCall: The quiet Irishman behind Saracens' success". Irish Times. Retrieved 27 May 2018.
  12. ^ a b Hooper, Andy (13 November 2007). "Mark McCall quits as Ulster Rugby coach". The Telegraph. Retrieved 27 May 2018.
  13. ^ ESPNscrum News Profile Summary
  14. ^ a b Mears, Gavin (11 December 2007). "New chapter for McCall at Castres". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 27 May 2018.
  15. ^ BBC - Mark McCall signs new contract
  16. ^ BBC Sports 2011 rugby championship final
  17. ^ Cleary, Mike (6 April 2012). "Heineken Cup 2012: Saracens strive to reach new heights". The Telegraph. Retrieved 27 May 2018.
  18. ^ "Saracens and Brendan Venter hit with double penalty in week of woe". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 1 June 2022.
  19. ^ ESPNscrum News McCall Speech on Wagecap
  20. ^ "Watford News Saracens Stick with Rotational Policy". Archived from the original on 15 July 2014.
  21. ^ Osbourne, Chris (24 May 2014). "Heineken Cup final: Saracens 6-23 Toulon". BBC Sport.
  22. ^ "Saracens defeat Bath to win the 2014-2015 Aviva Premiership title". RugbyDump. 1 June 2015. Retrieved 27 May 2018.
  23. ^ Standley, James (14 May 2016). "Saracens beat Racing 92". BBC Sport. Retrieved 27 May 2018.
  24. ^ Rees, Paul (6 October 2016). "Saracens' Mark McCall hits out at RFU after England training camp injuries". The Guardian. Retrieved 27 May 2018.
  25. ^ Standley, James (13 May 2017). "European Champions Cup: Saracens beat Clermont 28-17". BBC Sport. Retrieved 27 May 2018.
  26. ^ Pilnick, Brent (20 May 2017). "Premiership semi-final: Exeter Chiefs 18-16 Saracens". BBC Sport. Retrieved 27 May 2018.
  27. ^ Cleary, Mike. "Four leading directors of rugby on the game's big issues". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 28 May 2018. Retrieved 27 May 2018.
  28. ^ a b c De Menezes, Jack (26 May 2018). "Saracens banish their 'ghosts' with Premiership final victory". The Independent. Retrieved 27 May 2018.
  29. ^ Kitson, Robert (18 May 2016). "Saracens sweep honours at Premiership end-of-season awards night". The Guardian. Retrieved 27 May 2018.
  30. ^ "Danny Cipriani crowned Gallagher Premiership Rugby Player of the Season". Premiership Rugby. 22 May 2019. Retrieved 11 August 2019.
  31. ^ Shapley, Oli (20 April 2021). "Saracens coaching team agree new long-term contracts". Saracens. Retrieved 20 April 2021.
  32. ^ "CLUB STATEMENT | Mark McCall". Retrieved 28 January 2022.
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