Mike Coulman


Michael "Mike" John Coulman is an English former rugby football footballer, and coach. He played at the highest levels in both rugby union and rugby league - a dual-code rugby international.

Playing career

Rugby union

Coulman played club rugby union for Moseley, and was capped nine times as a prop for the England national rugby union team between 1967 and 1968 and scored one try for England. He was selected for the 1968 British Lions tour to South Africa, and started the 3rd Test against South Africa, but lasted only 5 minutes of the game before tearing the ligaments round his ankle.

Rugby league

After 1968 he signed for Salford RLFC Salford where he won two championship medals. He was selected in the England squad for the 1975 Rugby League World Cup, and made two tournament appearances - the 10 June pool match against Wales in Brisbane the 28 June match against Australia at the SCG. Coulman's Testimonial match at Salford took place in 1979. He also appeared for Other Nationalities and Lancashire.

County Cup Final appearances

Mike Coulman played right-, i.e. number 12, and was man of the match in Salford's 2-6 defeat by Widnes in the 1974 Lancashire County Cup Final during the 1974–75 season at Central Park, Wigan on Saturday 2 November 1974.

BBC2 Floodlit Trophy Final appearances

Mike Coulman played left-, i.e. number 8, in Salford's 0-0 draw with Warrington in the 1974 BBC2 Floodlit Trophy Final during the 1974–75 season at The Willows, Salford on Tuesday 17 December 1974, and he did not play in the 10-5 victory over Warrington in the 1974 BBC2 Floodlit Trophy Final replay during the 1974–75 season at Wilderspool Stadium, Warrington on Tuesday 28 January 1975.

Coaching career

Following his retirement as a player, Coulman coached Salford for the 1983–84 Rugby Football League season. He was replaced at the end of the season by Kevin Ashcroft following the club's relegation at the end of the season.