SIMON MIDDLETON

In three words

Responsive. Direct. Relentless.

Playing CV

A skinny wing from Knottingley, he signed for Castleford Tigers after playing a blinder against them in a warm-up for Yorkshire. He scored 82 tries in 170 games for Tigers, then had two years back in union with Leeds before retiring in 2000.

Coaching background

Initially a skills coach at Leeds Tykes, he quit his job at a glass manufacturer to become full-time defence coach in 2006. Failing to land the head coach job in 2011, he became DoR at Bishop Burton College. He was on Gary Street’s Red Roses coaching team for the successful RWC 2014 campaign and coached women’s sevens, including GB at Rio 2016. He’s been England Women head coach since 2015, leading them to five Six Nations titles and four Slams.

What he’s known for

He sets high standards, expects broad skill-sets – and learns his lessons. After the Kiwis outkicked England in the 2017 final, he turned his charges into the world’s best kicking team; and when France outscrummaged England in 2020, he helped transform the set-piece.

Who’s on his team

Scott Bemand, a former scrum-half at Harlequins, Leicester and Bath, is backs coach, while ex-Leicester and England lock Louis Deacon takes the forwards. Amy Turner left to coach Harlequins Women.

Biggest achievement

Helping to lift Leeds from National Three to fifth in the Premiership (2002-03) is right up there. But it’s been surpassed by his work with the Red Roses, who are taking the women’s game to new heights. He was World Rugby Coach of the Year in 2021 – the first women’s coach to win the accolade.