Morgann Denis – Strength & Conditioning Coach | Rugby Performance Specialist
Welcome to my professional page ! My name is Morgann Denis. I am a strength and conditioning coach specialising in rugby performance, with over six years of experience working across amateur, semi-professional, and elite professional environments in France and the United Kingdom.
My career has been built around one central question: what does it actually take to make a rugby player more dominant on the pitch? Not more tired from training. More dominant. That distinction drives everything I do.
Academic Background
I hold a Bachelor's degree in Sports Science from the University of Rennes 2, where I specialised in athletic training for rugby. This foundation gave me a solid grounding in exercise physiology, biomechanics, and performance programming.
I am currently completing an MSc in Strength and Conditioning at St Mary's University, Twickenham, one of the UK's leading institutions for sport science. This postgraduate programme has deepened my understanding of neuromuscular physiology, evidence-based programming, and the science underpinning elite athletic development. Studying and working simultaneously within a professional Premiership environment has made this academic journey directly applicable to real-world performance.
I also hold the French Rugby Federation's Federal Coaching Certificate (Brevet Fédéral de Perfectionnement FFR), reinforcing my grounding in both the scientific and applied sides of the game.
Professional Experience
Harlequins FC — Athletic Performance Coach
The most recent chapter of my career has been at Harlequins FC, one of English rugby's most established Premiership clubs. Working within the performance department, my work centred on the neuromuscular development of the squad through gym-based sessions, with a clear focus on force-velocity qualities: maximal strength, power expression, and explosive output relevant to the demands of Premiership rugby.
A core part of the role was the individual monitoring of players across the season. This meant tracking each athlete's physical state on a weekly basis, managing load progression, and making data-informed decisions on session content and intensity. On the field, I contributed to speed and conditioning sessions planned and monitored through GPS technology (Catapult), allowing for precise load management relative to match day and the broader weekly structure.
Operating inside a Premiership performance environment, with the infrastructure, standards, and expectations that come with it, has been the most formative experience of my career.
Amateur and Semi-Professional Club Experience
Before working in the professional game, I spent several years building my craft at club level in France.
At AS Mérignac Rugby, I served as head of physical preparation for the senior squad from 2021 to 2025. This role covered the full scope of S&C delivery: planning and delivering gym sessions focused on strength and power, leading on-field conditioning and speed work, and managing the return to play of injured players in coordination with the medical and technical staff. Over four seasons, I developed a strong understanding of what it means to manage load, fatigue, and development simultaneously across a long competitive calendar.
Before that, at SC Le Rheu Rugby from 2018 to 2020, I designed and delivered strength, conditioning, and speed sessions for the senior squad. I also managed injury rehabilitation and return-to-play protocols. This was where I first experienced the gap between generic fitness training and rugby-specific physical preparation, and where I decided to close it.
International Experience and Professional Development
My career has never been confined to one country or one system. I have actively sought out environments that would challenge and broaden my understanding of rugby performance.
In 2020 and 2021, I spent time in Dublin working as a personal trainer at West Wood Club, designing individualised programmes and running group conditioning sessions. Living and working in an English-speaking environment shaped both my professional communication and my broader approach to athletic development.
Beyond formal employment, I have invested consistently in continuing professional development across Europe. I spent time embedded within the performance department at Dragons RFC in Wales, observing their methods and contributing directly on the field. I visited Biella Rugby in Italy, a club competing in Serie A, the top division of Italian rugby, spending a week understanding how their performance staff structured the training week at professional level. I also observed the strength and conditioning processes at London Broncos, gaining insight into how rugby league prepares its athletes in comparison to the union game.
On the women's game side, I had the opportunity to observe the performance practices at Harlequins Women, which gave me an additional perspective on how elite rugby performance is managed across different contexts.
These experiences, taken together, have given me a picture of professional rugby preparation that extends well beyond a single club or a single country.
Barbell S&C
Alongside all of the above, I have run Barbell S&C since 2020, an online coaching service dedicated exclusively to amateur rugby players. Over that time I have worked individually with more than a hundred players, delivering personalised training programmes, nutritional guidance, and ongoing performance monitoring. This work keeps me directly connected to the real challenges faced by the amateur player, which is ultimately the population I care most about helping.
My Philosophy
Rugby rewards physical dominance. But most amateur players train in ways that never produce it, not because they lack effort, but because they lack the right method. Too much generic gym work. Too little transfer to what actually matters: the ability to produce force quickly, repeatedly, under fatigue, in contact.
My approach is built on three principles. Specificity: every programme must be designed for rugby, for the player's position, and for where they are in the season. Neuromuscular development as the priority: force, power, and speed are the qualities that change games. Individual relevance: no two players have the same needs, the same history, or the same constraints. Programming that ignores this is programming that underdelivers.
The gap between the amateur player and the professional is smaller than most people think. The right preparation, applied consistently, closes it faster than any amount of extra training ever will.
why choose me ?
Choosing a strength and conditioning coach is a critical decision that can significantly impact an athlete’s career.
Here’s why I stand out :
Expertise in Rugby Performance : My specialization in rugby performance ensures that every aspect of my training programs is aligned with the specific demands of the sport.
Scientific Approach : I combine the latest research in sports science with practical coaching experience to deliver programs that are both innovative and effective.
Commitment to Excellence : I am passionate about pushing the boundaries of what my athletes can achieve, fostering an environment of continuous improvement and excellence.
Personalized Attention : I believe in building strong relationships with my athletes, understanding their individual needs, and providing personalized guidance and support.
let’s connect
I am always excited to connect with new athletes, coaches, and rugby enthusiasts. Whether you are looking to elevate your game, improve team performance, or discuss the latest in rugby conditioning, I would love to hear from you.
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