With the November internationals on the horizon, England rugby head coach Steve Borthwick is reportedly setting his sights on Lee Blackett as the new full-time attack coach. This potential shake-up follows Blackett’s impactful stint during England's summer tour, sparking a wave of approval across social media from fans who witnessed a revitalized team performance.
Blackett, currently wrapped up in a "long-term contract" with Bath, where he recently celebrated a Premiership victory, has quickly climbed Borthwick's priority list. The move would mean Richard Wigglesworth shifting to a defensive role, while Joe El-Abd would take on strategic duties with the forwards. This coaching carousel comes after Blackett left a strong impression during England’s tour in the Americas, where the team secured wins against Argentina and the USA.
"This would be awesome. The team spirit in Arg/USA was really positive going forward. Players like (Joe) Heyes stepped to Test standard, but it’s the fluidity in attack and, most importantly for England, the transition from hard defence to flowing attack that impressed. That’s LB."
Fans have not shied away from expressing their thoughts on this potential appointment. While some dread the loss of Blackett to Bath, others celebrate the prospective gains for the national team. One notable comment from the crowd encapsulated the mixed feelings:
"Really conflicted about this. He has done a lot to make Bath's attack more fluent, so would hate to lose him without a quality replacement at the ready… but England really needs him too!"
The coaching shift is viewed as a strategic move to bolster England’s attacking capabilities ahead of a challenging series that includes matches against top-tier nations like Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, and Argentina.
As discussions continue, the enthusiasm from the fans underscores the high expectations placed on Blackett, whose innovative coaching at Bath and previous roles have evidently not gone unnoticed. With the autumn games fast approaching, all eyes will be on Borthwick’s final decision, hoping that Blackett's signature on the contract can bring a fresh dynamism to England’s play style.