England Rugby has announced the promotion of Richard Wigglesworth to senior assistant coach, marking a significant step in the team's coaching structure ahead of their highly anticipated Autumn Nations Series campaign.
The 41-year-old former England scrum-half, who initially joined the national set-up from Leicester Tigers after the 2022-23 season, will now take on greater responsibilities alongside head coach Steve Borthwick.
Wigglesworth will remain England’s attack coach, but his role has been expanded to include collaborating with Borthwick on the overall game plan and managing the day-to-day operations of the coaching staff. His promotion follows Felix Jones' resignation as defence coach earlier this year, leaving Wigglesworth in a key leadership position within the team.
Borthwick has praised Wigglesworth for his "deep knowledge of the game and excellent tactical understanding," which has made him an essential part of the coaching team. "He shares our emotional commitment to English rugby, and I am certain he will play a crucial role in driving the standards of this England team," Borthwick added.
Wigglesworth's influence on the team has grown since his arrival, particularly after working closely with Borthwick during a successful period at Leicester Tigers, which led to a Premiership title in 2022. His experience as a player, earning 33 caps for England and making over 300 Premiership appearances, has translated well into his coaching career, particularly in shaping England's attacking strategy.
“I’m eager to help this talented group of players win games of rugby consistently,” Wigglesworth said. “This is an exciting time for England Rugby. Steve has created a coaching environment based on collaboration and hard work, and we are constantly evolving, growing, and striving for success.”
The reshuffling of England's coaching staff sees Wigglesworth step into a more prominent role, while other key figures include Joe El-Abd, who has replaced Jones as defence coach, and Kevin Sinfield, who continues to oversee skills and kicking, albeit on reduced hours.
As England gears up for a challenging Autumn Nations Series that includes matches against New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, and Japan, Wigglesworth’s promotion signifies a shift in the team's strategic direction, with on-field performance hopes in the balance.
In addition to Wigglesworth’s promotion, England Rugby confirms the full coaching team set-up:
Steve Borthwick – head coach
Richard Wigglesworth – senior assistant coach (attack)
Joe El-Abd – assistant coach (defence)
Tom Harrison – assistant coach (scrum)
Kevin Sinfield – assistant coach (skills & kicking)
Andrew Strawbridge – assistant coach & coaching advisor
