Paul Deacon (born 13 February 1979) is an English rugby union coach who is the head coach of the Sale Sharks in Premiership Rugby, and former a professional rugby league footballer and coach. A Great Britain and England international representative or , he played in the Super League for Oldham Bears, the Bradford Bulls (who named him in their "Team of the Century", having won the 2001, 2003 and 2005 Super League Grand Finals, the 2003 Challenge Cup, and the 2002 World Club Challenge), and his home-town club, the Wigan Warriors (with whom he won the 2010 Super League Grand Final and 2011 Challenge Cup). Deacon followed this with becoming a member of Wigan's coaching staff, working closely with manager Shaun Wane. Background Deacon was born in Wigan, Greater Manchester, England. Playing career 1990s Hailing from Standish near Wigan, a former Hindley amateur, Deacon made his senior professional début four days before his 18th birthday as a substitute for Oldham in a 48–6 RL Challenge Cup fourth round home victory over Rochdale Hornets on 9 February 1997. He made only four appearances for Oldham before moving to the Bradford Bulls. He has been one of Bradford Bulls' most influential players in the 21st century so far. He signed for the Bradford Bulls from Oldham, and came through the youth system at the same time as Jamie Peacock and Stuart Fielden. Deacon scored a try and goal on his début for the Bradford Bulls at in a 36–10 Super League home victory over Huddersfield Giants on 28 June 1998. Deacon won caps for England while at the Bradford Bulls in 1999 against France (2 matches). Deacon played for the Bradford Bulls from the interchange bench in the 1999 Super League Grand Final which was lost to St. Helens. 2000s Deacon played for England in their 2000 World Cup campaign against Russia, Fiji, Ireland and New Zealand, and in 2001 against Wales. He went on to be one of Bradford Bulls' key players, a superb organiser with a tremendous kicking game. For Great Britain he won caps while at the Bradford Bulls in 2001 against France and Australia. Deacon played for the Bradford Bulls from the interchange bench in their 2001 Super League Grand Final victory against the Wigan Warriors. As Super League VI champions, the Bradford Bulls played against 2001 NRL Premiers, the Newcastle Knights in the 2002 World Club Challenge.