Wasps can confirm that current interim Head Coach, Lee Blackett, has been appointed as the club’s full-time Head Coach.
Blackett stepped up from his role as Attack & Backs Coach to take the first team reins in mid-February and his impact was immediate, overseeing 3 wins from 4 games which helped propel the club back into contention for a top-four finish.
Joining Blackett as part of a new-look coaching team are Pete Atkinson and Richard Blaze.
📢 🏉 Wasps can confirm, Lee Blackett, has been appointed as the club’s full-time Head Coach. Pete Atkinson and Richard Blaze join him as part of a new-look coaching team…https://t.co/bSNVS6CehU pic.twitter.com/vuBGV6GZCg
— Wasps Rugby (@WaspsRugby) April 9, 2020
Atkinson will become Head of Performance after the conclusion of his contract with the Italian Rugby Union. He has vast experience across a number of sports following highly successful spells with both Saracens and Leicester Tigers, as well as working at the English Institute of Sport and the ECB as their National Lead for Strength & Conditioning.
Currently, at the RFU working with the England Women’s rugby team, Blaze will take up the role of Forwards Coach. Blaze joined England Rugby as part of the coach development agreement in November 2017, working with the England U20 team. He previously worked as Forwards Coach at Leicester Tigers, winning the Premiership title in 2012/13, having played for the club from 2007-10.
It has also been confirmed that current Forwards Coach Andy Titterrell will be leaving the club.
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“The last few months have been fantastic, and I can’t thank the coaches, players, staff and supporters enough for the support they’ve given me. I’m really excited to have the chance to work with Pete and Richard as we prepare to get the team back playing again and hopefully deliver the success this club deserves.
“I’d also like to place on record my thanks to Andy for his time at Wasps. He’s a very popular member of the group and we wish him well in his next venture,” said Blackett.
LIST | The 6 key Wasps players out of contract in the summer
As Wasps do not disclose contract lengths, the Coventry Live have assembled a potential list of players who could be out of contract come the end of the season – or have signed new deals but have to be announced…
1. Jimmy Gopperth
This summer he turns 37 and Ryan Mills, also an inside centre, has been recruited from Worcester Warriors. If the New Zealander does remain at Wasps, it would potentially be on reduced terms or in a dual role, allowing him to progress his coaching career too.