Ian Birtwell (born 1944 (age 80–81)) is an English rugby union coach and a former player.
Professionally, he was a research scientist heading the pollution and Toxicology Unit at the Department of Fisheries and Oceans in West Vancouver.
Birtwell played rugby union for Sedgley Park RUFC, a team in Manchester, arriving in Canada in 1972.
Birtwell took office as head coach of Canada, in October 1989, leading them to the 1991 Rugby World Cup finals, where the "Maple Leafs", with an extraordinary team, reached the quarter-finals.
He was also in charge at the 1995 Rugby World Cup finals, where Canada had to face a very strong group, winning only Romania, by 34-3.