England Revamps Coaching Staff with Byron McGuigan's Permanent Addition
Byron McGuigan officially joins England's coaching staff on a permanent basis starting this summer, marking the completion of Steve Borthwick’s coaching overhaul. The former Scotland winger, 36, initially became part of Borthwick’s team during last summer’s tour of Argentina and the USA, while also serving as defence coach at Sale Sharks. His temporary contract was extended through the Autumn Nations Series in November and the Six Nations earlier this spring, where England had a disappointing campaign, winning only one match and finishing fifth in the table. Despite these results, the RFU backed Borthwick, leading to McGuigan's departure from Sale at the end of the season. Now, he officially focuses on collision skills, the aerial contest, and developing the back three. Borthwick praised McGuigan as an excellent addition, highlighting his strong impact and detailed understanding of the game. During his playing career, McGuigan made over 100 appearances for Sale and earned 10 caps for Scotland. He gained coaching experience at grassroots level before leading the Sharks in the 2023/24 Premiership Rugby Cup campaign. Expressing his enthusiasm, McGuigan stated, "It’s a huge honour to be part of the England set-up," noting the players' eagerness to learn and improve. England aims to finalize their coaching staff ahead of the 2027 World Cup, following significant upheaval in recent years. Changes included a reduced role for Kevin Sinfield, the high-profile appointment of Felix Jones who resigned, and the departure of strength and conditioning coach Aled Walters to Ireland. With new additions like McGuigan, alongside Joe El-Abd, Lee Blackett, and Phil Morrow, Borthwick seeks to maintain continuity as the World Cup approaches.
Source: The Independent Sport - 2026-05-19