Jimmy Duffy (rugby union)

Jimmy Duffy is an Irish rugby union coach. As of 2024 he is forwards coach for Ulster. He was previously forwards coach for Connacht, Ireland under-20s, and Western Force.

Born in Galway, he played association football at underage level, and had trials with Everton, Nottingham Forest and Manchester City. He also played Gaelic football for St James'. He attended St Joseph's Patrician College, where he started playing rugby at the age of 15, playing at lock or number eight, and won the Connacht Schools' Cup in 1994. He represented Ireland at under-21 and 'A' level, and played provincial rugby for Connacht,^[1] making more than 20 appearances,^[2] but had to retire from playing at 20 after being diagnosed with a heart condition.^[1]

After three years away from rugby, he started coaching at Our Lady's Boys Club.^[1] He worked as an elite player development officer for the Connacht academy and as a coach development officer at grassroots level, before being appointed Connacht's forwards coach under Pat Lam in 2015. He was part of the Connacht coaching team that led the province to the 2015-16 Pro12 title. He worked under Lam's successor Andy Friend from 2018,^[3] but turned down a contract extension in 2021.^[4] He became forwards coach for the Ireland under-20s, under head coach Richie Murphy, for the grand-slam winning 2022 under-20 Six Nations campaign,^[5] then joined Australian franchise Western Force as forwards coach.^[6] After two seasons in Super Rugby, he left in 2024^[7] to join Ulster as forwards coach, reuniting with head coach Richie Murphy.^[8]