Wasps turn to Blackett after he impressed spell in charge
● With three wins in four matches, the caretaker coach earned his promotion
Wasps have appointed interim boss Lee Blackett as the club’s permanent head coach.
The 37-year-old stepped up from his position as attack and backs coach to replace the outgoing Dai Young on a temporary basis in February.
During his interim spell, Blackett won three of his four matches in charge to move within two points of fourthplaced Northampton before the coronavirus pandemic curtailedaction.heimpressed club chiefs enough to be given a new contract on a full-time basis. Blackett has reshaped his coaching staff, with Pete Atkinson joining as head of performance when his current contract with the Italian Rugby Union expires.
Richard Blaze, currently working with the England Women’s team, also takes up the position as forwards coach, replacing Andy Titterrell who has left the club.
“The last few months have been fantastic, and I can’t thank the coaches, players, staff and supporters enough for the support they’ve given me,” Blackett said.
“I’m really excited to have the chance to work with Pete and Richard as we prepare to get the team back playing again and hopefully deliver the success this club deserves.
“I’d also like to place on record my thanks to Andy for his time at Wasps. He’s a very popular member of the group and we wish him well in his next venture.”
Meanwhile, Wasps fly-half
JIMMY GOPPERTH “Easter weekend is going to be tough. My family is out in New Zealand”
Jimmy Gopperth has urged people to pick up the phone over the “tough” Easter weekend and speak to family and friends.
The Coventry-based Gallagher Premiership club devised the #Makethatcall campaign with the aim of supporting their fans during the coronavirus crisis. Players have been calling NHS staff, other key works, and vulnerable people including the elderly.
Gopperth knows better than anyone how it feels to be away from loved ones, with most of his family thousands of miles away in his home country of New Zealand.
“Easter is normally the time when families get together,” he said. “It’s going to be tough. My family is out in New Zealand – grandmas and parents. It’s the same situation for me, having no family around.”
Gopperth urged families to have a virtual Easter Sunday lunch using modern technology, and said he was speaking more often to his loved ones in New Zealand due to the pandemic. And he said it was humbling to ring up Wasps supporters and hear what a difference it makes to them.
He said: “The community is big for us at Wasps. Especially the elderly people who are fully isolated,itisaboutreachingout. It’s very humbling to hear how excited it makes people feel.”
Harlequins, Leicester, Saracens,
Bath and Gloucester are among other Premiership Rugby clubs to join the #Makethatcall campaign.
Premiership Rugby chief executive Darren Childs said he was proud of the clubs taking part, and added: “The past weeks have been tough for us all, but making these calls to our supporters, and hearing these heart-warming stories have kept us all going.”