Steve Borthwick’s overhaul of England’s coaching team has continued with the announcement that Richard Wigglesworth and Aled Walters will join at the end of the season, while forwards coach Richard Cockerill said on Tuesday he will join Montpellier after the Six Nations.
Wigglesworth is interim head coach of Leicester Tigers but will take on the role of England assistant while Walters has been appointed as head of strength and conditioning. The two will link up with England ahead of the World Cup.
Wigglesworth won 33 caps for England at scrum-half and made an incredible 449 Premiership appearances for Sale, Saracens and Leicester. Walters joined Leicester in 2020, having played a key role in South Africa’s 2019 World Cup triumph.
“Richard and Aled are two outstanding coaches in their fields who I know very well,” Borthwick said. “Richard has been a proven winner throughout his playing career and has carried this into his coaching career.
“He already has international coaching experience, from the 2019 Rugby World Cup, alongside a hugely successful playing career and has amassed a wealth of knowledge. Few people have such an in depth, wide-ranging view and understanding of the tactical element of the game.
“He is a proud Englishman who has represented his country and is desperate to see us win, he will show he really cares about this team.
“Aled is an excellent performance coach who had an incredible impact with the Rugby World Cup holders, South Africa.
“Wherever he has worked, players improve. I have never met anyone who is able to get more out of players than he does.”
Cockerill has been looking after the scrum this campaign and was the last member of Eddie Jones’ staff to keep his job with the England team under Borthwick. Jones left his post as head coach after the autumn internationals with Borthwick replacing him.
Borthwick has since brought in Kevin Sinfield and Nick Evans to his backroom staff, with Brett Hodgson, Matt Proudfoot and Martin Gleeson moving on. Cockerill will continue working with England through to the end of the Six Nations before taking up a role with Top 14 side Montpellier.
“It has been an honour to not only play for my country but to also get the chance to coach England,” Cockerill said. “Having coached and played in France previously, my family and I always had aspirations to return. This opportunity presented itself some time ago and it was too hard to turn down personally and professionally.
“It is disappointing not to work with Steve and the wider team beyond the Six Nations. I had hoped to be able stay for the Rugby World Cup, but the timings weren’t meant to be. I will continue to be fully focused on England and this Six Nations campaign, working with this group of players as they begin a new journey together.