A LEADING AMERICAN speed and performance specialist has joined the Irish rugby high performance team.

Nick Winkelman, best known for preparing top college football prospects for their shot at the NFL, has been appointed as the IRFU’s new Head of Athletic Performance and Science.

Winkleman is “a world leader in his area of expertise,” IRFU Performance Director David Nucifora said.

(He) will bring a wealth of knowledge and new capabilities to how we develop, manage and assess the physical performance of our professional players.

Winkelman joins from US company EXOS, which bills itself as “the leader in integrated performance training, nutrition, and physical therapy for elite and professional athletes,” where he was Director of Education and Training Systems.

For seven years, he ran the NFL Combine Development program which boasts of having trained seven number one draft picks and 118 first-round selections since 1999.

“Honored to join @IrishRugby as the Head of Athletic Performance & Science,” Winkelman tweeted on Tuesday.

“So excited to call Ireland our new home!”

The move was hailed as a “great appointment” by Irish Olympian Colin Griffin.

“Top guy. Onwards and upwards from here!”

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