In a significant shake-up for English rugby, Lee Blackett steps into his new role as England's attack coach with a clear timeline and a hefty goal: revamp the national team's offence in time for the 2027 Rugby World Cup. Previously wielding his strategic acumen at Wasps and Bath, Blackett's appointment comes with the strategic reshuffling of coaching roles, seeing Richard Wigglesworth transition to defence and Joe El-Abd to the forwards.
Blackett isn't new to the pressures of international rugby, having briefly filled in for Wigglesworth during England's successful summer tour in the Americas. His impact was profound and immediate, convincing head coach Steve Borthwick that he was the right man for the job. "It’s five campaigns. Do I think we have got enough time? Yes," Blackett confidently stated, emphasizing the importance of incremental improvement across the upcoming fixtures.
The urgency of a strong start is not lost on Blackett, who highlighted the critical nature of their opening match against Australia this November. "Momentum is massive in sport, and especially at the start of campaigns... Australia is massive," he remarked, underscoring the need for a robust launch into the season.
"My biggest fear as a coach is becoming a dinosaur,"
Blackett expressed during the media briefing, revealing a mindset focused on evolution and adaptation. He vividly remembers a compliment from former player James Haskell, which continues to influence his coaching philosophy:
"You always gave us confidence,"
a testament to Blackett's ability to empower his players.
With the upcoming fixtures and World Cup preparation, Blackett is also eyeing the crucial fly-half position, currently a hotbed of competition with George Ford, Fin Smith, and Marcus Smith vying for prominence. "We are really lucky because everyone on the outside is looking at our 10s and saying, 'Look how many they have got and the quality they have got'," Blackett noted, highlighting the depth and talent at his disposal.
As the squad gears up for the challenges ahead, Blackett's strategies and philosophies will soon be put to the test. His track record and approach suggest he might just be the catalyst England needs to ignite their attack and blaze through to World Cup glory.
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In a significant shake-up for English rugby, Lee Blackett steps into his new role as England's attack coach with a clear timeline and a hefty goal: revamp the national team's offence in time for the 2027 Rugby World Cup. Previously wielding his strategic acumen at Wasps and Bath, Blackett's appointment comes with the strategic reshuffling of coaching roles, seeing Richard Wigglesworth transition to defence and Joe El-Abd to the forwards.
Blackett isn't new to the pressures of international rugby, having briefly filled in for Wigglesworth during England's successful summer tour in the Americas. His impact was profound and immediate, convincing head coach Steve Borthwick that he was the right man for the job. "It’s five campaigns. Do I think we have got enough time? Yes," Blackett confidently stated, emphasizing the importance of incremental improvement across the upcoming fixtures.
The urgency of a strong start is not lost on Blackett, who highlighted the critical nature of their opening match against Australia this November. "Momentum is massive in sport, and especially at the start of campaigns... Australia is massive," he remarked, underscoring the need for a robust launch into the season.
"My biggest fear as a coach is becoming a dinosaur,"
Blackett expressed during the media briefing, revealing a mindset focused on evolution and adaptation. He vividly remembers a compliment from former player James Haskell, which continues to influence his coaching philosophy:
"You always gave us confidence,"
a testament to Blackett's ability to empower his players.With the upcoming fixtures and World Cup preparation, Blackett is also eyeing the crucial fly-half position, currently a hotbed of competition with George Ford, Fin Smith, and Marcus Smith vying for prominence. "We are really lucky because everyone on the outside is looking at our 10s and saying, 'Look how many they have got and the quality they have got'," Blackett noted, highlighting the depth and talent at his disposal.
As the squad gears up for the challenges ahead, Blackett's strategies and philosophies will soon be put to the test. His track record and approach suggest he might just be the catalyst England needs to ignite their attack and blaze through to World Cup glory.