England's rugby squad are aiming to embrace the attacking cricket style led by their cricketing counterparts and strike a early impact for the team in the run-up to the upcoming Ashes series. The head coach and assistants of his backroom team have held talks with the cricket coach and want their players to make a rapid and intense kickoff to the Quilter Nations Series in the coming days.
Forward-Thinking Approach Key
There is a collective goal within the England squad to make a statement over the autumn period, and Borthwick and his defensive coach Wigglesworth have been learning from the cricket coach's brain on the most effective ways to foster a confident mindset. “Our meeting with the cricket strategist and his assistants last month,” revealed the defence coach. “It was a sit down and a drink in Manchester which was quite insightful.
“I asked the transformation of attitudes in English cricket which was highly enlightening. But then discussed the technicalities of training someone one-on-one and what that looks like. I wouldn’t want to say one main thing because our conversation lasted for a good period of time and learned a great deal, but they’re on to a winning formula.
“Additionally aim to become a squad that can win in various manners and adjust because all fixtures is unique. We feel we’ve got a versatile team so our intention is to compete accordingly.”
Forging a Fresh Approach
In spite of a sequence of seven successive victories in recent months, England supporters are still hoping for the introduction of a exciting new “Borthball” approach to compare with the attention-grabbing cricketing equivalent led by the cricket coach and Ben Stokes. The coming weeks, however, provide the prospect to make a significant leap with the group selection for the global tournament set to be announced in December.
Defeating the Wallabies on the weekend, hard on the heels of the British & Irish Lions’s victorious campaign, would further contribute to counter Australia’s win in the recent first rugby league Ashes Test prior to the commencement of cricket’s Ashes series. There are multiple dedicated followers of cricket in the rugby side and Wigglesworth believes the “intense competition” with the Wallabies motivates the two nations. “In my view, each team really enjoy competing with each other because the rivalry is unique. Hopefully to secure a win on the weekend.”
Learning from Experience
The defence coach was also a member of the backroom team who achieved victory in the tour in the past season and thinks all the English team members taking part gained much from the tour. He has carefully avoided the urge to speak with the former Wallaby coach, the ex- Australian staff member now in charge at Leicester, but notes the intensity of the campaign has had “a big impact” on his style.
“When you work with such elite players, growth is natural, because they tend to be the greatest educators. I absolutely loved it, gained invaluable insights, we had a wonderful period and we won. I think, the squad members have noticed a difference in the lads who were fortunate to be part of a prestigious series. Until you’ve experienced it, you might not appreciate it. And the squad who were in Argentina have likewise definitely grown. So the both groups have come back together really nicely.”
Tactical Evolution
The coach’s position with England has evolved with him currently overseeing the squad’s defensive systems, with specialist input from defensive specialists and Byron McGuigan. Previously, Australia exploited some gaps in the line to claim victory in the corresponding fixture, but the away side are likely to face tighter defence in the upcoming match. “We definitely desire a proactive defence,” stated the coach, also seeking to motivate his squad to respond positively in tough moments.
“One great aspect about the game of rugby is that all contests is different and can be decided in multiple styles. Weather conditions? What’s the referee doing? All these things go into the melting pot.” The ex- Saracens and Sale scrum-half is also adamant that empowering the squad is the best approach for the side rather than continuously directing every move them.
“My approach is not decide our defensive system requires adjustment based on my views and what I believe. As we grow together, the greater we know what everyone wants mutually and how to build us a highly effective side. Subsequently the greater the squad members get to take a lead. Ultimately you reach that optimal point of autonomy that is effective, not delegation that is doomed to disappoint.”
