Callard finds new friends in the north

Leeds comes as a breath of fresh air for the stalwart given the cold shoulder after 13 years at Bath

The first time Jon Callard met Phil Davies he received a clip around the ear. It was a one-sided contest. "I was a little 18-year-old full-back with Newport," Callard said, "and he was a huge No 8 for Llanelli. He called me a chopsy so-and-so and cuffed me. Perhaps I deserved it. In any case he's a lovable bloke."

Never more so than now. After being cast adrift from his job as head coach with his beloved Bath last season, Callard was thinking of resurrecting his career as a schoolteacher when Davies, the director of rugby at Leeds, gave him a call. "It came out of the blue. Phil had a list of backs coaches he wanted to interview and my name was on it. I didn't know whether I wanted to go back to coaching. What happened at Bath made me very angry and to say I needed to prove myself was just fighting talk. There is still an element of doubt in my mind, although I'm grateful to Leeds for this opportunity."

The Tykes, who would have been relegated last season but for Rotherham's inability to meet the Zurich Premiership criteria, got off to the best possible start with their victory over Leicester, something Callard hadn't experienced since he was No 2 to Andy Robinson at Bath in 1998. At Headingley, Callard bumped into Austin Healey and Neil Back. "There was an acknowledgment and nothing more," Callard said. "I knew how they felt."

Twelve months ago Bath were turned over in Yorkshire, and when Michael Foley was subsequently promoted to team director, Callard's 13 years at the Recreation Ground came to an unseemly end. He was prepared to go to court to settle a dispute over compensation but that has been resolved. "There's an agreement in place. I have a hell of a lot of affection for Bath and the supporters. I was concerned for the players at the club but I have huge respect for Jack Rowell. The teams he developed were a joy to be a part of. A lot of people at Bath owe him a great deal."

Funnily enough, Rowell says the same of Callard, who scored all Bath's points when they beat Brive four years ago to become the first English side to win the Heineken Cup. "I wouldn't say time was a great healer," Callard said. "You can't help thinking about what was said or what would have happened had this or that been done, but I'm starting a new chapter."

Callard has moved into a flat in Harrogate while his wife, Gail, who was born in the Yorkshire market town, and three daughters, aged from 14 weeks to seven years, remain in Bath for the time being. "Bath is a wonderful place but I've already fallen in love with Leeds. The whole set-up is fantastic. I enjoy working for Phil and I don't mind being told what to do. Having union and rugby league under one roof makes coaching more interesting."

This afternoon Leeds are at home to London Irish. "We played some nice rugby against Leicester," Callard said, "and the result was almost a dream, but we're going to have to be twice as good again. We have to show we're not one-game wonders, and that we're worthy of being in the Premiership. This is a massive game. The Irish were aggrieved at losing to Bath in injury time and will be fired up. Brendan Venter and Conor O'Shea have turned them into a quality side."

At Headingley, Callard has been reunited with the former Bath hooker Mark Regan, who has joined lock Tom Palmer and wing Dan Scarbrough in the England training squad which was announced last Thursday. Scarbrough was the league's second-highest try-scorer last season and he began this one with two against Leicester. "I would love to see him on the international stage and in the company of players like Jonny Wilkinson on a regular basis," Callard said. "Dan's got real pace, he reads the game well and he ghosts some good lines, but he needs to tighten up the technical side. He's only had one season in the Premiership. He could play either wing or full-back, although in the future I can see teams playing with three fast full-backs."

The 32-year-old Regan – he is inevitably called Ronnie – was outstanding against the Tigers. With the 33-year-old Jonathan Humphreys joining Bath, Regan was ready to leave the Rec. "Phil asked my opinion and I gave it," Callard said. "Ronnie's been fighting for his place at Bath with Andy Long, but the thing is he's a fighter. He always comes back. He still wants to play for England and he's come to Leeds to achieve it. It's our gain. It will be a special day for him and the club if he plays for England again. He's enjoying himself, and you can't ask for more."

The same can be said of Callard, who is 10 weeks into a one-year contract. "Phil has been at Leeds for six years and they've only had one taste of the Premiership. They now know what is needed, and fitness levels have to be taken a stage further. No disrespect to Division One, but this is a different pace. The players have been working extremely hard. The most refreshing thing I've found is that they are all so willing to learn and work.

"I was left in no doubt as to how ambitious the club are, but they have realistic goals and values. It's enjoyable and demanding. The enthusiasm is impressive. I've got wrapped up in it and I'm honoured to be given a chance I never thought I'd get. They tell you what's what here. They don't play mind games."

After parting company with Bath, Callard trained hard for the London Marathon, finishing in 4hr 2min. "I was gutted. My goal was to break four hours. Gavin Hastings did it in 3hr 59min, and the thought of the Scottish full-back beating me was hard to take. Completing the marathon was one of the hardest things I've ever done. It hit me at 19 miles and my mind started to play tricks. I'd never been to that stage of exhaustion."

The long-distance runner is no longer as lonely as he was during the summer. Callard recounts the story of finding a £5 note in the street on the way to Headingley for the match against Leicester. "I've had 250 letters from Yorkshire people asking if they can have their fiver back. I've still got it and I'm going to keep it until the end of the season, when I'll put it in a charity box."