🔗 Share this article

The national rugby squad are working to implement the Bazball philosophy led by their cricketing counterparts and strike a significant blow for the country in the run-up to the forthcoming Ashes series. Steve Borthwick and members of his backroom team have had meetings with the cricket coach and want their squad to begin with a quick and aggressive kickoff to the Quilter Nations Series this weekend.

Confident Mindset Key

There is a unified goal within the England setup to make a statement over the next month, and the coach and his defence coach Richard Wigglesworth have been picking McCullum's insights on the best ways to foster a confident outlook. “Our meeting with the cricket strategist and his assistants recently,” revealed Wigglesworth. “It was a meeting and a coffee in the city which was very enjoyable.

“I asked how he changed approaches in the national cricket side which was highly enlightening. We also got into the technicalities of training someone individually and practical applications. It’s hard to pinpoint a single takeaway because our conversation lasted for a considerable while and gained numerous insights, but they have developed a effective strategy.

“We also want to be a team that can win in diverse styles and adjust because every game is different. Our belief is we possess a dynamic lineup so we want to play that way.”

Building a Modern Style

Despite a run of seven straight wins in recent months, England followers are still anticipating the launch of a exciting new “Borthwick-style” period to rival the eye-catching style seen in cricket spearheaded by the cricket coach and Ben Stokes. The coming weeks, though, present the opportunity to make a significant leap with the draw for the global tournament set to be announced in winter.

Overcoming the Wallabies on the weekend, coming after the Lions squad’s victorious campaign, would additionally help to counter the Aussies' victory in the recent opening clash ahead of the beginning of the upcoming cricket. There are a number of avid followers of cricket in the national team and Wigglesworth feels the “historic contest” with the Wallabies drives each side. “Personally, each team truly love facing each other because there’s something there. Hopefully to claim victory on Saturday.”

Growth from Past Tours

Wigglesworth was also part of the Lions management who won the series in the tour recently and believes all the English team members participating learned much from the campaign. He has carefully declined the inclination to speak with the former Wallaby coach, the recent Australian staff member currently leading at Leicester, but notes the intensity of the campaign has had “a major influence” on his style.

“When you work with such elite players, learning is inevitable, because they are often the greatest educators. I thoroughly enjoyed it, developed significantly, it was a wonderful period and success was achieved. Personally, the players have observed a transformation in the lads who were fortunate to be part of a elite campaign. Unless you’ve experienced it, you probably can’t appreciate it. And the team who were in the tour have also improved markedly. So the both groups have merged very well.”

Defensive Refinement

Wigglesworth’s responsibilities with England has changed with him now presiding over the squad’s defensive systems, with specialist input from defensive specialists and coaching staff. In the corresponding fixture last season, Australia capitalized on some unsettled defence to claim victory in the corresponding fixture, but the opposition could encounter tighter defence this time. “Our aim is to aim for a proactive defensive system,” stated Wigglesworth, additionally seeking to motivate his team to react well in challenging situations.

“What I love about the game of rugby is that all contests is distinct and can be settled in multiple styles. Weather conditions? Officiating style? All these things contribute to the melting pot.” The former Saracens and Sale player is also certain that empowering the squad is the way ahead for England rather than continuously directing every move them.

“My approach is not go our defensive system needs altering because of me and personal opinions. The more we grow together, the more we understand shared goals from each other and what’s going to make us a really good squad. Subsequently the greater the players get to take a lead. In time you arrive at that optimal point of empowerment that is successful, not freedom that is setting them up to fail.”