Duo join Borthwick’s coaching staff
England have recruited two more coaches from Leicester as Steve Borthwick continues to assemble his management team.
On the day it was confirmed Richard Cockerill would step down at the end of the Guinness Six Nations to join Montpellier, the RFU announced the appointment of interim Tigers boss Richard Wigglesworth and Aled Walters.
Wigglesworth joins as an assistant coach, most likely overseeing the attack which is currently being directed by Nick Evans, while Walters will become head of strength and conditioning in the wake of Jon Clarke’s departure.
Both men will join the England set-up at the end of the season.
It lifts the number of coaches taken from Gallagher Premiership champions Leicester to four with Borthwick and his number two Kevin Sinfield also prised away from Welford Road.
Borthwick said: “Richard and Aled are two outstanding coaches in their fields who I know very well. 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, wideranging 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 is the only coaching survivor from the Jones era after Matt Proudfoot, Brett Hodgson and Martin Gleeson departed in the wake of the Australian’s sacking in December.