Richard Wigglesworth promoted to England's number two role

Richard Wigglesworth has been promoted to the role of assistant head coach under Steve Borthwick in England’s latest coaching re-organization.

The former England scrum-half, who is already in charge of the team's attack, will now work closely with Borthwick on the overall game plan and manage the rest of the coaching staff.

The 41-year-old brings a wealth of experience to his enhanced position. Having played 33 times for England, he was recruited into the national setup by Borthwick after the duo’s successful stint at Leicester Tigers, where they won the Premiership in 2022.

His tactical expertise and deep knowledge of the game have made him a crucial figure in the England camp.

"Richard's deep knowledge of the game and his excellent tactical understanding means he has become a key figure in our coaching team," said Borthwick.

Wigglesworth’s promotion comes amid several changes in the England coaching setup. Joe El-Abd was hired as the new defense coach in September following Felix Jones' resignation after just seven months in the role.

Meanwhile, Kevin Sinfield, who had planned to leave earlier this year, has agreed to stay on with reduced hours to focus on player skills, kicking, and mentoring.

Felix Jones, who is working remotely during his 12-month notice period, continues to provide tactical analysis for the team.

England’s autumn campaign kicks off on 2 November with a highly anticipated match against New Zealand. The team will then face Australia, South Africa, and Japan as they continue to fine-tune their strategies under Borthwick and Wigglesworth’s leadership.