England add New Zealander to backroom team ahead of Six Nations while ex-Springboks coach’s role confirmed

England head coach Steve Borthwick has brought in Andrew Strawbridge to his coaching group as a consultant coach for the first four weeks of the Six Nations.

The 59-year-old New Zealander was recently part of All Blacks’ senior set-up as a skills consultant where he helped the team make the 2023 Rugby World Cup final in France.

After a playing career at Waikato, Strawbridge moved into coaching holding senior positions at National Provincial Championship level with North Harbour for two seasons from 2003 and Auckland for three years from 2009. During this time, he was also part of the coaching set-up that saw New Zealand U20s secure two world titles.

Success at the Chiefs

From there, Strawbridge took on the role of assistant coach in the 2012 and 2013 back-to-back Super Rugby-winning campaigns with the Chiefs.

In 2015, he received senior international recognition with Manu Samoa having accepted the role of technical advisor.

Strawbridge then returned to Waikato in 2019 as head coach, a position he held for two years before transitioning to director of rugby in 2021.

2022 saw him join the New Zealand men’s senior team set-up as a skills consultant and he continued his involvement with the national team throughout 2023.

“Andrew is another coach with a wealth of knowledge,” said Borthwick ahead of the Six Nations campaign.

“He has worked extensively and successfully in Super Rugby and international rugby, most recently with New Zealand to help them to the final of the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

“Andrew has an incredible reputation in player development and has helped a large number of players progress to be amongst the best in the world. His work around the contact area is incredibly highly regarded, ensuring teams have the quick ball needed to launch a threatening attack.

“I can’t wait for him to join the team and add the enormous value that I know he will bring.”

Felix Jones excitement

Incoming assistant coach Felix Jones, who joins the coaching set-up having helped South Africa to back-to-back World Cup triumphs, will now be responsible for England‘s defence, with Kevin Sinfield moving to coaching individual skills and the kickers. Richard Wigglesworth continues as attack coach and Tom Harrison remains in charge of the scrum.

Borthwick added: “I am tremendously excited to start working with Felix who is a coach with an incredible reputation and with vast experience in international rugby.

“With his background in Irish rugby and his wealth of knowledge operating in the southern hemisphere. He will bring a different dimension to our coaching team.”

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