PLYMOUTH’S Steven Beckerleg is to join his former coach Jon Rudd in Ireland.

Beckerleg has been appointed as an assistant coach at Swim Ireland’s National Centre in Dublin.

The 27-year-old former international has been working at Plymouth Leander and running a coaching company with his former team-mate Antony James since retiring from competitive swimming.

Beckerleg’s departure from Plymouth continues the aquatics coaching drain from the Life Centre.

At the start of the year diving coach Marc Holdsworth left Plymouth for Leeds, then Rudd moved to Ireland in February and yesterday is was confirmed that Andy Banks would leave Plymouth Diving after more than 20 years for a top job in Australia.

Beckerleg, who was part of England’s team at the 2010 Commonwealth Games, will be joined in an assistant coaching role in Dublin by former Ireland international Beth Carson.

Rudd, who is Swim Ireland’s national performance director, is also based in Dublin and he has been working hard to put together a top-class coaching team as they build towards the Tokyo Olympics in 2020.

Beckerleg said: “It’s been a difficult decision to make but I am delighted to say that I will be joining Swim Ireland as assistant head coach of the National Performance Centre in Dublin.

“Swim Ireland are at the beginning of a very exciting journey and one that intend to fully be a part of.

“I’d like to say a massive thank you to everyone at Plymouth Leander. I’ve had three great years coaching alongside some of the best coaches in the world and I truly believe I wouldn’t be where I am today without you.”