Leading Rugby Analyst Darren Lewis Joins Coaching Staff

The Dallas Jackals are delighted to announce the addition of Darren Lewis to the management team as Performance & Recruitment Analyst.  With over 10 years of rugby union analysis experience, Lewis brings the skill set needed to help guide the Jackals through the 2022 Inaugural Season.  

“I’m really excited about the opportunity to have a small part in supporting everyone at the Jackals,” Lewis said. “It’s truly an exciting project, and working with Elaine has been incredibly refreshing. She’s got a wonderful outlook on everything and I’m excited to continue learning from her and the other coaches, the organization is in fantastic hands!”

Lewis most recently headed up the Performance Analysis Department at Gloucester Rugby. In his seven seasons with Gloucester, he provided invaluable support to the 1st team coaching staff through video analysis. Previously, Lewis spent almost five seasons with fellow Premiership club Bath Rugby as Head Analyst where he worked alongside USA Rugby Head Coach Gary Gold.

Lewis grew up playing rugby in South West England and after sustaining a career ending injury at University of Wales Institute Cardiff (now known as Cardiff Met), Lewis made the shift to performance analysis. His first analysis gig was with Opta Sports where he provided analysis support to various professional rugby teams. While working towards a Master’s in Performance Analysis, Lewis joined for the first season of the Welsh Rugby Union’s Premiership Bureau where his team of analysts covered over 250 games delivering analysis resources back to WRU for player and team monitoring.

Currently, Lewis owns and operates his own company, Codex Analysis. Codex helps develop analysis processes for a number of different sports including Ice Hockey, Basketball and Soccer as well as teaching on the post graduate program in performance analysis at the University of Gloucester. Lewis also is a consultant for Nacsport, where he was first introduced to Jackals GM Elaine Vassie. 

“Darren’s an industry leader in rugby analysis, and comes with a wealth of experience from the top end of the game,” said GM Elaine Vassie. “His understanding and alignment with our vision, the environment we want to create and the style we intend to play, have already added significant value both in the collegiate draft and our recruitment processes this year. I know heading into the season he will be a real support for our coaches and players as we work to challenge how the game is played.”

Lewis will be stationed remotely in Gloucester, with frequent communication with the coaching staff. He and his wife Chanel, from Chicago, have a three year old son named Harper and a second child due this December. Outside of rugby, Lewis has a passion for music with a very eclectic taste and enjoys cycling. 

Welcome to the Pack Darren, Chanel, Harper, and baby Lewis! 

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About Dallas Jackals —

The Dallas Jackals are a professional rugby team of Major League Rugby (MLR), the highest level of rugby competition in North America. The Jackals were named as an expansion team in 2020 and will play their inaugural season in 2022. The team’s central mission is to develop domestic talent to a world-class level of play and professionalism while strengthening the high- performance pathway in DFW by supporting the local clubs. Through proactive Community Outreach, the Jackals will exemplify and spread the passion of rugby by inspiring tradition, respect, family, and character on and off the pitch.

About MLR —

Major League Rugby is a professional sports league entering its fifth season and represents the highest level of rugby competition in North America. The League evolved from seven teams in 2018, to 13 teams in 2022, featuring 12 from the United States and one from Canada. Matches are televised on CBS Sports Network, Fox Sports 2, and ESPN+, among other national and local market platforms. All matches are available on Facebook Live for international fans. MLR prides itself in fostering intense and high-stakes competition, while bringing together a passionate community built on the values of Respect, Inclusivity, and Tradition. For more information about MLR, visit MajorLeague.Rugby.