Bates lands performance coach role at Twickenham

Steve Bates, the former head coach of the Borders, has been appointed performance manager and international performance coach for England’s Rugby Football Union with effect from May.

Currently director of sport at Fettes College, Bates will take up his new post ahead of the World Rugby under-20 Championship in Georgia this June.

Former Wasps and England scrum-half Bates will report to Dean Ryan, who spent time at Murrayfield as one of the assistant coaches to the Scotland rugby team.

Under Ryan, Bates will lead the England under-20 programme. The RFU management describe the role as “delivering talent identification and facilitating coach and player development”.

Bates, pictured, will also oversee the RFU’S Premiership coach development agreement under which talented coaches will be seconded to the under-20 management. This season England’s under-20s have been coached by Louis Deacon (Moseley), Ian Vass (Bedford) and Tom Williams (Esher).

Bates said: “I have a passion for developing both players and coaches so I couldn’t have asked for a more suited role.”

Bates, who has previously held head coaching posts at Newcastle Falcons and The Borders, was also in charge of both Scotland A and England Saxons.

Ryan, head of international player development at the RFU, believes Bates is an ideal choice.

He said: “The combination of his experience of coachingatthehighestlevel and teaching within education means that Steve is an excellent fit.”

Meanwhile, David Ross, St Andrews University director of rugby and head coach of Scottish Students, is to spend a month in New Zealand working with the Canterbury Crusaders coaching team.