No ‘funky rugby’: New England coach Lee Blackett focuses on substance over style

Steve Borthwick’s new attack coach believes he has time to create a winning culture before the World Cup in 2027

To say England have been through a few attack coaches in recent times is an understatement. The latest cab off the rank, Lee Blackett, is the 11th individual to take on the role in nine years but it may just be that the national team have found the ideal catalyst to enhance their chances at the next men’s Rugby World Cup in Australia in 2027.

Blackett, 42, auditioned successfully for the job on this summer’s tour of Argentina and the US, where England scored 13 tries in three Tests, and has emerged as the big winner in Steve Borthwick’s latest cabinet reshuffle with Richard Wigglesworth switching to defence and Joe El-Abd helping out with the forwards.