The Fiji Rakavi Football Union has brought in experienced British coach David Ellis as the interim Defence Coach of the FIJI Water Flying Fijians ahead of the Pacific Nations Cup.

Ellis is already working with the national squad in camp, assisting the coaching staff and players as preparations for the September tournament continue.

The 25-year coaching veteran has worked extensively at international and professional level, with a strong focus on defensive structures and player development. His career includes involvement in more than 1,000 professional club matches and over 200 Test matches.

Ellis is best known for his 11-year stint with the French national team as Assistant Coach for Defence from 2000 to 2011. During his time with France, the team won several Six Nations titles, including Grand Slams, reached the 2003 and 2007 Rugby World Cup semi-finals and made the 2011 World Cup final, where they lost 8–7 to New Zealand.

His international coaching experience also includes consultancy work with the New Zealand All Blacks during their 3–0 series victory over the British & Irish Lions in 2005. He has also held defence coaching roles with Tonga and Romania and worked as a consultant with USA Rugby Sevens.

Ellis was part of Romania’s coaching setup during its 2023 Rugby World Cup qualification campaign and helped the side finish with a bronze medal in the 2023 Rugby Europe Championship, following wins over Poland, Belgium and Spain.

At club level, he has coached in England and France, including spells with Gloucester, Castres Olympique, CA Brive, London Irish and Lyon. His work with Lyon included Pro D2 championship-winning campaigns in 2014 and 2016.

His later coaching achievements include leading Kenilworth RFC to the RFU Intermediate Cup at Twickenham in 2019, taking Sarlat Rugby through an unbeaten 22-match season and promotion from Federale 2, and guiding Bletchley Rugby Club to the BBO Premier League title after 19 wins from 20 matches.

Ellis has also worked as a World Rugby Coach Development Mentor, supporting international coaches and sharing his expertise in defensive systems.

His immediate task with the Flying Fijians will be to improve the team’s defensive structures while working closely with the wider coaching group during the build-up to the Pacific Nations Cup.