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RFU statement: England women's team coaching staff update
By Liam Heagney
Backs coach Scott Bemand is to leave his role with the England women’s rugby team after the 2023 Six Nations, but forwards coach Louis Deacon will continue coaching a team that is currently searching for a new head coach.
Simon Middleton, who led England to the recent World Cup final in Auckland, confirmed on February 6 that he will step down at the end of the upcoming Six Nations and an update has now been provided regarding the future of two of his key lieutenants.
An RFU statement read: “Scott Bemand has decided he will step down from his role as England women backs coach at the end of the 2023 TikTok Women’s Six Nations. Bemand was appointed lead coach of the England Women XVs team in 2015, working alongside Simon Middleton, who initially held a joint role with sevens.
“The former scrum-half was part of the coaching set-up as backs coach who guided England to their record-breaking 30 match-winning run and two Rugby World Cup finals in 2017 and 2022. During his spell to date, he has won five Six Nations titles and four Grand Slams.
“Meanwhile, having spent the past 18 months with the Red Roses, Louis Deacon will remain with the Red Roses coaching team leading towards the 2025 Rugby World Cup.”
Bemand said: “It has been a privilege to coach my country and be a part of the Red Roses programme. Two World Cups, Six Nations titles and wins in France and on the 2017 tour of New Zealand have been particular highlights and memories I will cherish. The women’s game has grown significantly.
“We have a fantastic group of integrated players and staff involved in a world-class programme who have always looked to drive it forward and I wish them all the very best moving forwards. After eight years in the role, it is time for a fresh voice for the group and I am looking forward to the next challenge.”
RFU performance director Conor O’Shea added: “All of us will want to send Scott off in the manner he deserves. He has given an incredible amount to the Red Roses and to the game in England but he, like Simon, feels that post-Six Nations is the right time for a fresh voice.
“On a personal level, we will all miss the enthusiasm and energy that Scott brings to the job every day.”
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Latest Comments
I agree with you on much of this, Chris - and was equally disappointed by the crowd last weekend in Twickenham. Club crowds are improving much more steadily than those at Test matches, but they are improving - and that'll only be bolstered by A) the increasing men's-women's alignments B) a successful World Cup. Where we differ is the geographical spread of RWC25, which I think is a brilliant and important idea. Even if we don't sell things out up North or away from London - accessibility and nation-wide inspiration is crucial. Out of curiosity, when would you host a World Cup, calendar-wise?
Go to commentsJaw-dropping stats.
92% possession in the last 10 minutes, with the scoreboard at 29-28, but unable to find the 2 points necessary. Ouch!
Also, over the course of the game the Boks had 40% more passes, 80% more carries, and 50% more line breaks, but fewer points on the board. Is that a new-fangled attack that is still not working, or is the new normal for the Boks to work that much harder for their points than their opponents do?
But the real problem was defense. 28 points should be enough to win a game. The Boks are at their best when they consistently limit their opponents to 15 points or less. That's a good goal for any team. Argentina is a good (and under-rated) team, but the Boks have stopped good teams before.
Rassie needs to spend the next week figuring out why a backline that is full of double RWC winners has become so porous. The KLA yellow card explains some of it, but the Boks usually adapt. It may be time to call his buddy Nienaber. One part of it is that if you're going to de-emphasize the territorial game, then there is more pressure to minimize turnovers.
Manie will be wishing that there was a good kicker elsewhere in the team, so that he could contest for #10 without having to be a BMT place kicker. SA supporters were expecting something like the end of the Currie Cup final, but with a much easier kick. Unfortunately Manie doesn't seem to improve his kicking accuracy under pressure.
It has to be said: Congrats to Argentina.
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