Meet the Team
Coaching Staff
Director of Rugby
Mike Armiger
As director of rugby, Mike works closely with the student committee to offer leadership and direction to the club. He also works directly with players in training sessions throughout the year and liaises with numerous organisations we're associated with.
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Mike's coaching resume is extensive; he has coaching experience with Cardiff Blues Academy, Wales U20s, England Students and the University of Bristol 1st XV as well as many other clubs over the years. After taking the reins as head coach in 2017-18, Mike has been instrumental in the success of the UBH. Mike has led the men to three NAMS Cup titles, three NAMS Plate titles, a Varsity Cup (now known as the Ted Senior Memorial Cup) against Cardiff, and the Ottie Uden Cup against Nantes. Additionally, he has supported the women's team with coaching and management from its revival in 2017 from which they went on to be the first name etched into the women's NAMS Cup in 2022/23 and continue to impress competitively with coaching from Mike and Izzy.
Mike works with professional athletes and within the field of mental health and wellbeing. Whilst Mike would be modest about his involvement, he has greatly contributed to establishing the relationship between Galenicals (Bristol Medics Society) Sport and the Ted Senior Foundation. Together, we provide Mental Health First Aid training to TSF ambassadors within medics sport, known as Ted's Friends.
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Through his dedication and enthusiasm, Mike has already had a lasting impact on the UBH on and off the field by fostering a culture where wellbeing support is widely accessible to everyone in our community - a culture that continues to grow each year.​​
Head Coach
Lee Smith
A recent addition to the UBH coaching staff in the 2024/25 season, Lee has immediately fit in to the club structure and culture. With our core ambition before the season being a victory in the 2nd XV NAMS Cup, Lee was pivotal in making it a reality. Specialising in front row and forwards coaching, Lee developed new line-out and forwards play structure for the teams, and had key input in the coaching that has laid a strong foundation for seasons to come.
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As a result of his commitment to assisting the club in NAMS fixtures across the country on our journey to the Cup win, Lee has agreed to continue with the club into next season taking over from Mike as UBH head coach. We're excited to see where his leadership as UBH head coach can take us in coming seasons.
Skills Coach
Ryley Murtagh
Ryley joined the club as an RFU Level 2 qualified, DBS checked, aspiring professional rugby coach. He comes with significant experience for his age, coaching XPro rugby for Luke Arscott and James Hall, Gordano Ladies and U15s and U16s at Broad Plain, his local club.
He is currently studying a Level 3 BTEC Extended Diploma in Sport (Rugby) at the Bristol Bears Community Foundation. He is the first ever student to take part in the course and is looking to gain experience working with all aspects of the club - but primarily backs play and skills coaching.
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Alongside this, Ryley has been working at Bristol Bears Academy coaching at the South Bristol DPP centre. The club has allowed Ryley to gain one-to-one experience from Mike and Lee at a talented University Club with players of his own age group, hopefully providing a stepping stone to the professional coaching world of rugby.​​
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Off the field, he is well loved by the squad and bridges the gap between the coaching staff and squad due to his close age to the students and active involvement in club socials making him a relatable and welcome presence.
Women's Player-Coach
Izzy Jacques
Izzy began playing rugby at the age of five but took a break from the sport for a few years before returning with a reignited passion for the game. She progressed to represent Kent and joined the Wasps Centre of Excellence, before earning senior caps for Wasps Women during her final year of school.
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After match against Bristol Bears, she was invited by the Bears head coach to attend their pre-season training. She went on to play university rugby and made appearances for the Bears before a knee injury led her to a coaching role in the UBHWRFC whilst in rehab with hopes of a return to playing.
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Izzy began coaching with the boys’ U10s and the girls’ section at Sevenoaks RFC, her home club, and founded and coached a girls’ sixth form team at her school. For the past couple of years, she has been coaching the UBH Women's team, where she is highly regarded by players. She works closely with our Director of Rugby, Mike, and remains actively engaged in the club's social scene too.