The RFU have confirmed that Andrew Strawbridge will join Steve Borthwick’s management team as an assistant coach and coaching advisor, ahead of England’s summer Tour to Japan and New Zealand.
The 59-year-old New Zealander was recently apart of the England coaching set-up, as he spent the first four weeks of the 2024 Six Nations campaign with the side as a consultant coach. Head coach Borthwick is delighted to welcome Strawbridge back into his group, yet this time on a permanent basis.
“Andrew made a huge impression during the time he spent with us at this year’s Six Nations,” said Borthwick.
“From the moment he walked into the environment, I was hugely impressed with his attention to detail, the clarity of his coaching philosophy and the different perspectives he has on the game.
“His extensive coaching experience in Super Rugby and the international arena, as well as his expertise in player development, complements our existing coaching group well.
“I’m excited that he’ll back with us as we prepare for the summer Tour to Japan and New Zealand”
Strawbridge has enjoyed an impressive coaching career, having taken up an assortment of top roles across New Zealand. Strawbridge was most recently part of the All Blacks coaching staff as a skills coach, where he helped New Zealand achieve silver medals at the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
After a playing career at Waikato, Strawbridge moved into coaching, holding senior positions at National Provincial level with North Harbour for two seasons from 2003, and Auckland for three seasons from 2009. During this time, he was also involved with the coaching set-up that saw New Zealand U20’s secure two world titles.
Strawbridge then took up the role of assistant coach in the 2012 and 2013 back-to-back Super Rugby winning campaigns with the Chiefs. In 2015, he received senior international recognition with Manu Samoa, as the Pacific Islanders’ Technical Advisor. Strawbridge then returned to Waikato in 2019 as head coach for two years, before transitioning to director of rugby in 2021.
2022 saw Strawbridge join the New Zealand men’s senior team set-up as a coaching consultant and he continued his involvement with the national team throughout 2023 in an assistant coach capacity.
He said: “My brief stint with England at the front end of the Six Nations was a nourishing experience and I was impressed with the desire of the group to grow and compete.
“I am immensely proud to be involved in the England coaching group and look forward to playing a part in helping the team achieve its goals.
“I really appreciate the opportunity Steve has afforded me to contribute.”