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Former All Black Nick Evans joins England for 2023 Six Nations
By Liam Heagney
Harlequins have confirmed that Nick Evans, the former All Blacks out-half, will join Steve Borthwick’s England as an assistant coach ahead of next month’s start to the 2023 Guinness Six Nations. The 42-year-old, who won 16 caps with New Zealand between 2004 and 2007, is currently the attack and backs coach at The Stoop and the Gallagher Premiership club reported on Friday afternoon that the Kiwi has moved into the Test coaching arena on a short-term basis.
A statement read: “Harlequins can confirm that attack and backs coach Nick Evans will link up with the England team during their 2023 Six Nations campaign on a short-term contract.
“With England’s Six Nations bye weeks falling on weekends of Harlequins’ matches, Evans will return to club duty part-time throughout the Six Nations campaign ahead of the club’s matches against Gloucester and Exeter in the Gallagher Premiership. Evans will return to Harlequins full-time following the conclusion of the 2023 Six Nations.”
Billy Millard, the Harlequins director of rugby performance, said: “This is an amazing opportunity for Nick where he will learn and grow so much which can only be good for the club. I’m also confident he will provide Steve and the playing group with excellent support and direction through the 2023 Six Nations period.”
In a separate RFU statement, new England boss Borthwick added: “I’m delighted that Nick is joining our team ahead of the Six Nations. Nick brings with him a wealth of different experiences as a player and coach, which will be incredibly valuable to the growth of our team.
“I know that Nick understands the pride and responsibility that comes with representing your country. We aim to build an England team that our nation can be proud of, and I know that our supporters will be very excited by what Nick can bring to our side. We would particularly like to thank Harlequins for their support in allowing Nick to work with us during this period. It’s a great example of club and country working together.”
There was no mention in the RFU statement about the situation of Martin Gleeson, who had been the England attack coach under Eddie Jones in recent years. The recruitment of Evans, which will be positive news for Marcus Smith, the England out-half whom he works with at club level, is the latest development in the new Borthwick era which began with his appointment of Kevin Sinfield as defence coach.
This was followed by last Monday’s confirmation that scrum coach Matt Proudfoot had stepped down after three years, sparking speculation that Saracens’ Ian Peel could come in to work alongside forwards coach Richard Cockerill. The RFU also confirmed at the start of the week that Brett Hodgson and Danny Kerry had left the England coaching team.
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I have heard it asked if RA is essentially one of the part owners and I suppose therefor should be on the other side of these two parties. If they purchased the rebels and guaranteed them, and are responsible enough they incur Rebels penalties, where is this line drawn? Seems rough to have to pay a penalty for something were your involvement sees you on the side of the conned party, the creditors. If the Rebels directors themselves have given the club their money, 6mil worth right, why aren’t they also listed as sitting with RA and the Tax office? And the legal threat was either way, new Rebels or defunct, I can’t see how RA assume the threat was less likely enough to warrant comment about it in this article. Surely RA ignore that and only worry about whether they can defend it or not, which they have reported as being comfortable with. So in effect wouldn’t it be more accurate to say there is no further legal threat (or worry) in denying the deal. Unless the directors have reneged on that. > Returns of a Japanese team or even Argentinean side, the Jaguares, were said to be on the cards, as were the ideas of standing up brand new teams in Hawaii or even Los Angeles – crazy ideas that seemingly forgot the time zone issues often cited as a turn-off for viewers when the competition contained teams from South Africa. Those timezones are great for SR and are what will probably be needed to unlock its future (cant see it remaining without _atleast _help from Aus), day games here are night games on the West Coast of america, were potential viewers triple, win win. With one of the best and easiest ways to unlock that being to play games or a host a team there. Less good the further across Aus you get though. Jaguares wouldn’t be the same Jaguares, but I still would think it’s better having them than keeping the Rebels. The other options aren’t really realistic 25’ options, no. From reading this authors last article I think if the new board can get the investment they seem to be confident in, you keeping them simply for the amount of money they’ll be investing in the game. Then ditch them later if they’re not good enough without such a high budget. Use them to get Jaguares reintergration stronger, with more key players on board, and have success drive success.
Go to commentsYeah, and ours is waaay bigger than yours. Just as you's get a semi…oh hold on that never happens
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