Danny McGuire

Danny McGuire
Personal information
Full nameDaniel Phillip McGuire[1]
Born (1982-12-06) 6 December 1982 (age 42)
Leeds, West Yorkshire, England
Height5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)[2]
Weight13 st 12 lb (88 kg)[2]
Playing information
PositionScrum-half, Stand-off
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2001–17 Leeds Rhinos 426 267 0 7 1075
2018–19 Hull Kingston Rovers 45 9 1 4 42
Total 471 276 1 11 1117
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2004–07 Great Britain 12 5 1 0 22
2008–09 England 7 4 0 0 16
Coaching information
Club
Years Team Gms W D L W%
2022 Hull Kingston Rovers (interim) 9 4 0 5 44
2025– Castleford Tigers 0 0 0 0
Total 9 4 0 5 44
Source: [3][4][5]
As of 25 October 2024

Daniel Phillip McGuire (born 6 December 1982) is an English rugby league coach and former professional rugby league footballer who is the head coach of the Castleford Tigers in the Super League.

He played as a scrum-half or stand-off and spent the majority of his professional career with the Leeds Rhinos, winning a total of eight Super League Championships, two Challenge Cups, three World Club Challenge Championships and three League Leaders' Shields. He made over 400 appearances for the club between 2001 and 2017, before spending two seasons at Hull Kingston Rovers at the end of his playing career.

McGuire also played for Great Britain and England at international level, and represented England at the 2008 Rugby League World Cup.

McGuire was awarded the Harry Sunderland Trophy in two Grand Finals, one of only three men to do so, alongside his former team-mates Kevin Sinfield and Rob Burrow. McGuire was also the first player to score 200 tries in the Super League and he became the highest try-scorer in the competition's history in 2012, surpassing his former team-mate, Keith Senior.

Upon retirement, McGuire moved into the role of assistant coach at Hull Kingston Rovers. He worked under Tony Smith and later Willie Peters, as well as taking interim charge prior to Peters' arrival. Having joined the Castleford Tigers ahead of 2024, he worked as assistant coach to Craig Lingard for one season before becoming head coach from 2025.

Playing career

Leeds Rhinos

2001–2009

Born in Leeds, West Yorkshire,[6] McGuire signed for his hometown professional club, Leeds Rhinos, from local team East Leeds A.R.L.F.C.

McGuire impressed for the academy side and made his début for the Leeds Rhinos' first-grade team at Headingley Stadium, against the Salford City Reds on 6 July 2001.

By the start of the 2003's Super League VIII, McGuire had established himself as a first-team regular.

He ended 2004's Super League IX having scored 39 tries in all competitions, including a then Super League record of five in one match against the Widnes Vikings. He finished with one fewer than the Super League's top try scorer, Bradford Bulls' Lesley Vainikolo. McGuire's superb form resulted in him being awarded the RLWBA Player of the Year, to also add him being named in the 2004 Super League Dream Team.[7]

The Leeds Rhinos won the 2004 League Leaders' Shield, with Danny playing a pivotal role in their accomplishment. McGuire played at halfback in the Leeds Rhinos' 2004 Super League Grand Final victory against the Bradford Bulls, with Danny scoring a try, a game which ended the Leeds Rhinos' 32-year wait for the Championship.

As Super League IX Champions, the Leeds Rhinos faced 2004 NRL season Premiers, the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs in the 2005 World Club Challenge. McGuire played at stand-off and scored a try in the Leeds Rhinos' 39–32 victory. He played for the Leeds Rhinos in the 2005 Challenge Cup Final from the interchange bench, in their loss against Hull F.C.[8] McGuire suffered a defeat in the 2005 Super League Grand Final, which was a rematch of the 2004 Final against the Bradford Bulls. McGuire played at stand-off and scored the Leeds Rhinos' only try, in a 15–6 defeat.

McGuire playing for the Leeds Rhinos in 2007

McGuire played in the 2007 Super League Grand Final this time defeating St Helens, by a score of 33–6. This also happened again in the 2008 Super League Grand Final again, defeating St. Helens, in a closer affair than the year before.[9]

McGuire posing with a fan in Florida in 2008

The Leeds Rhinos' subsequently winning the match, 24–16., with McGuire scoring two tries in the second half to ensure victory. He was part of the Leeds Rhinos' 2008 World Club Challenge winning squad, defeating the 2007 NRL Season Premiers, the Melbourne Storm, recording a final score of 11–4.

McGuire won his second League Leaders' Shield in 2009 with the Leeds Rhinos.

McGuire's fourth grand final came in the 2009 Super League Grand Final, when the Leeds Rhinos defeated St. Helens for a third-year in a row, by a score of 18–10 at Old Trafford.[10][11]

2010–2017

After winning three titles in a row the Leeds Rhinos struggled in 2010. McGuire excelled though, scoring 27 tries in 32 games, his equal best since his excellent 2004 season.

He played in the 2010 Challenge Cup Final defeat by the Warrington Wolves at Wembley Stadium.[12][13]

McGuire's season ended in controversy though, during the Leeds Rhinos' win in their first play-off match against the eventual champions the Wigan Warriors.

With just moments remaining in the match, the Leeds Rhinos led 27–26, when the Wigan Warriors broke down the left of the field, McGuire was adjudged to have pulled back the Wigan Warriors' George Carmont, preventing him from scoring a potential match-winning try.

But in doing so, McGuire suffered a serious knee injury which ruled him out for up to six-months. Meaning he'd miss the remainder of the season and the start of the next.

Former Wigan Warriors star Phil Clarke, caused further controversy by writing, "Perhaps the rugby Gods have punished him (McGuire), for his unsportsmanlike play." The comments were posted on his blog on the Sky Sports website.

McGuire played at stand-off for the Leeds Rhinos in the 2011 Challenge Cup Final defeat by the Wigan Warriors at Wembley Stadium.[14][15][16]

His fifth and latest Grand Final win again, against St Helens, came in 2011, with the Leeds Rhinos coming from 5th in the regular season table to win 32–16, in the 2011 Super League Grand Final at Old Trafford.[17][18]

McGuire was part of the Leeds Rhinos side that won the 2012 World Club Challenge 26–12, against the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles.

McGuire also tasted victory in the 2012 Super League Grand Final against the Warrington Wolves at Old Trafford.[19][20]

McGuire playing for the Leeds Rhinos in 2013

He played in the 2014 Challenge Cup Final victory over the Castleford Tigers at Wembley Stadium.[21]

The Leeds Rhinos won the 2015 Challenge Cup Final with victory over Hull Kingston Rovers at Wembley Stadium[22][23][24] and the 2015 League Leaders' Shield.

The Leeds Rhinos also claimed the spoils in the 2015 Super League Grand Final, in a thrilling encounter against the Wigan Warriors, eventually winning the game 20–22, which wrapped-up the domestic treble for the club at Old Trafford.[25]

McGuire's final game for the Leeds Rhinos came in the 2017 Super League Grand Final where the Leeds Rhinos defeated the Castleford Tigers 6–24 at Old Trafford, with McGuire scoring two tries and kicking a drop-goal, on his farewell appearance for the Leeds Rhinos.[26][27][28]

Hull Kingston Rovers

McGuire signed a two-year deal to play for Hull Kingston Rovers in the 2018 and 2019 Super League seasons.[29]

Danny made his début for Hull Kingston Rovers on 2 February 2018, in a 6–28 defeat by Wakefield Trinity.

He scored his first try for Hull Kingston Rovers against the Huddersfield Giants, in round 5 of the 2018's Super League XXIII.

Danny recorded his first hat-trick of tries for Hull Kingston Rovers in a 52-22 Super League victory over the Salford Red Devils, on 8 July 2018 at Craven Park.

In pre-season ahead of the start of the 2019's Super League XXIV, Danny announced that the 2019 campaign would be his last as a player as he revealed his intentions to retire at the end of that same year.[citation needed]

McGuire walking out for Hull KR in 2019

International career

Great Britain

On the back of his superb season in 2004, McGuire was named in the Great Britain squad for the Tri-Nations tournament. He made his début off the bench in Great Britain's first game defeat by Australia.

He then made his first start for Great Britain in their next match against New Zealand, playing a key role and creating the try which ensured a 22–12 victory.[citation needed]

England

In 2008, McGuire was named along with seven Leeds Rhinos' teammates, in England's and former Leeds Rhinos Head Coach Tony Smith's 24-man squad for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup.[30]

He played from the interchange bench as England came from behind to scrape past Papua New Guinea. The final score was 32–22, in the opening game of the tournament.

England then lost 52–4, to host nation and tournament favourites, Australia.

McGuire was left out of the squad for England's final group game, where they surrendered a 24-12 half-time lead to lose 36–24 to New Zealand.

McGuire started his first game of the tournament against New Zealand in the semi-final. It also proved to be his last as despite scoring two tries, McGuire could not prevent England losing 32-22 and being eliminated.[citation needed]

Coaching career

Hull Kingston Rovers

On 20 May 2019, it was revealed that, following McGuire's retirement as a player, he would take on the role of Head of Recruitment at Hull Kingston Rovers from 2020's Super League XXV. In November 2020, Hull KR announced that he would join the coaching staff as an assistant to Tony Smith from the 2021 season.[31]

In July 2022, McGuire became interim head coach following the departure of Smith.[32] During this period, he led Hull KR to five wins from ten games.

Following the arrival of Willie Peters as head coach for 2023, McGuire resumed his previous position of assistant head coach, having recently signed a contract extension until the end of 2025.[33]

In October 2023, McGuire departed Hull KR to "enable Willie Peters to create his own coaching team".[34]

Castleford Tigers

On 17 October 2023, the Castleford Tigers announced the appointment of McGuire as assistant coach on a two-year deal, working under new head coach Craig Lingard.[35][36] The team finished the 2024 season in 10th place.[37] In October 2024, new chairman Martin Jepson completed a takeover of the club and Lingard was dismissed after one season at the helm.[38][39] With McGuire remaining in post, he quickly emerged as the leading candidate to step into the role.[40]

On 25 October 2024, Castleford confirmed that McGuire would be appointed as their new head coach on a three-year contract, marking his first permanent head coaching role.[41][42]

Honours

Leeds Rhinos

References

  1. ^ "Daniel Phillip McGuire". Companies House. Retrieved 2 December 2017.
  2. ^ a b "Danny McGuire Player Profile". Super League. Archived from the original on 2 April 2014. Retrieved 18 July 2015.
  3. ^ "Coaching Career Statistics". Rugby League Project. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  4. ^ "Playing Career Statistics". Rugby League Project. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  5. ^ "Player Summary: Danny McGuire". Rugby League Records. Rugby League Record Keepers Club. Retrieved 28 December 2024.
  6. ^ Smith, Peter (2 April 2020). "Leeds Rhinos top-10 - No 4 Danny McGuire". Yorkshire Evening Post. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  7. ^ "Leeds dominate Dream Team". 21 September 2004.
  8. ^ "Hull stun Leeds in Challenge Cup". BBC News. 27 August 2005. Retrieved 17 August 2013.
  9. ^ "2008 Grand Final". BBC. 4 October 2008. Retrieved 5 October 2008.
  10. ^ Fletcher, Paul (10 October 2009). "St Helens 10-18 Leeds Rhinos". BBC Sport. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
  11. ^ "Sinfield hails historic title win". BBC Sport. 11 October 2009. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
  12. ^ Scott, Ged (28 August 2010). "Leeds 6–30 Warrington". BBC. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
  13. ^ Wilson, Andy (28 August 2010). "Chris Hicks hat-trick leads Warrington to Challenge Cup triumph over Leeds". The Guardian. London. Archived from the original on 31 August 2010. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
  14. ^ Scott, Ged (27 August 2011). "Leeds 18-28 Wigan". BBC Sport. Retrieved 21 November 2019.
  15. ^ Scott, Ged (27 August 2011). "Wigan's Challenge Cup win a team effort - Joel Tomkins". BBC Sport. Retrieved 21 November 2019.
  16. ^ Wilson, Andy (27 August 2011). "Leeds Rhinos 18-28 Wigan Warriors – Challenge Cup final match report". The Guardian. London.
  17. ^ "Leeds claim Grand Final glory as inspired Rob Burrow sinks St Helens". Guardian. 8 October 2011. Retrieved 20 November 2019.
  18. ^ "St Helens 16 Leeds 32". Daily Telegraph. 8 October 2011. Retrieved 20 November 2019.
  19. ^ "Grand Final: Warrington 18-26 Leeds". BBC Sport. 6 October 2012. Retrieved 20 November 2019.
  20. ^ "Leeds' Kevin Sinfield stars in Grand Final triumph against Warrington". Guardian. 6 October 2012. Retrieved 20 November 2019.
  21. ^ "Leeds lift Challenge Cup after Ryan Hall's double stuns Castleford". Guardian. 23 August 2014. Retrieved 13 November 2019.
  22. ^ "Leeds emphatically shut out Hull KR to lift Challenge Cup". Guardian. 29 August 2015. Retrieved 8 November 2019.
  23. ^ "Scoreboard". Rugby Leaguer & League Express. No. 2982. 31 August 2015. p. 31.
  24. ^ "Challenge Cup final: Hull KR 0-50 Leeds Rhinos". BBC Sport. 29 August 2015. Retrieved 29 August 2015.
  25. ^ "Leeds pip Wigan to seal treble after brilliant, breathless Grand Final". Guardian. 10 October 2015. Retrieved 7 November 2019.
  26. ^ "Castleford 6-24 Leeds: Grand Final 2017 – as it happened". Guardian. 7 October 2017. Retrieved 5 November 2019.
  27. ^ "Grand Final 2017: Castleford 6-24 Leeds Rhinos". BBC Sport. 7 October 2017. Retrieved 9 October 2017.
  28. ^ "Danny McGuire guides Leeds to Grand Final success over Castleford". Guardian. 7 October 2017. Retrieved 9 October 2017.
  29. ^ "Danny McGuire – Why I'm joining Hull KR from Leeds Rhinos". Hull Daily Mail. 18 July 2017. Retrieved 26 September 2018.
  30. ^ "Purdham earns World Cup call-up". BBC. 7 October 2008. Retrieved 7 October 2008.
  31. ^ "Danny McGuire: Hull KR head of recruitment to combine assistant coach role". BBC Sport. 4 November 2020. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
  32. ^ "Tony Smith: Coach exits Hull KR after Super League slump". BBC Sport. 4 July 2022. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
  33. ^ Walker, Callum (4 July 2022). "Danny McGuire's club confirmed for 2023". Rugby League News. Retrieved 28 July 2023.
  34. ^ "Danny McGuire: Hull KR assistant head coach leaves Super League club". BBC Sport. 13 October 2023. Retrieved 15 October 2023.
  35. ^ "Craig Lingard: Castleford Tigers appoint former Keighley and Batley boss as head coach". BBC Sport. 17 October 2023. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
  36. ^ "Craig Lingard appointed as head coach". Castleford Tigers. 17 October 2023. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
  37. ^ O'Brien, James (18 September 2024). "Craig Lingard rates Castleford Tigers season ahead of final game at Huddersfield Giants". The Yorkshire Post. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  38. ^ "Castleford sack head coach Lingard". BBC Sport. 21 October 2024. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  39. ^ O'Brien, James (21 October 2024). "Castleford Tigers sack Craig Lingard as Martin Jepson puts stamp on club as sole owner". The Yorkshire Post. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  40. ^ Shaw, Matthew (22 October 2024). "Castleford Tigers' coaching position with key McGuire and Delaney work required". Yorkshire Live. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  41. ^ "Castleford appoint McGuire as head coach". BBC Sport. 25 October 2024. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  42. ^ Bower, Aaron (25 October 2024). "Danny McGuire's first words as Castleford coach as Brett Delaney hint provided". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 25 October 2024.