England head coach Steve Borthwick adds Andrew Strawbridge to coaching team ahead of summer tour

England head coach Steve Borthwick has made a significant addition to his coaching team by bringing on board experienced New Zealander Andrew Strawbridge on a permanent basis. The 59-year-old, who previously worked as a consultant during the 2024 Six Nations, will now serve as an assistant coach and “coaching advisor” for the upcoming summer tour of Japan and New Zealand.

Borthwick expressed his admiration for Strawbridge, stating, “Andrew has made a huge impression.” With extensive coaching experience at provincial level in New Zealand and as a consultant for the All Blacks during the 2023 World Cup, Strawbridge brings a wealth of knowledge to the England setup.

His expertise in player development and experience in Super Rugby and the international arena will complement the existing coaching group well, according to Borthwick. Strawbridge’s focus will primarily be on the attacking contact area, helping to fill the void left by departing coach Kevin Sinfield after the July Tests.

Excitement is building within the England camp, with scrum-half Alex Mitchell highlighting the team’s newfound attacking prowess. Following a strong performance against Ireland and a thrilling display in France during the Six Nations, Mitchell believes there are “exciting times ahead” for England’s attacking style.

“We want to play with tempo, we want quick speed of ball, and everyone is buying into that,” Mitchell said. “We have shown glimpses in the Six Nations – we are not quite there yet – but we know where we can go with the talent that we’ve got in this country.”

With Strawbridge’s addition and the team’s growing confidence in their attacking abilities, England fans can look forward to an exciting summer tour and beyond.