Mapletoft takes over England U20s

The Rugby Soccer Union (RFU) has formally introduced the appointment of Mark Mapletoft as the brand new England males’s U20 head coach, taking over from Alan Dickens. Mapletoft, who has been serving as an assistant coach with England males’s U18 since 2020, will assume his new position with fast impact.

Throughout his enjoying days, Mapletoft showcased his abilities as a fullback and fly-half whereas representing Gloucester Rugby, Harlequins, and London Irish. He even earned a take a look at cap for England in 1997. With a wealth of teaching expertise underneath his belt, Mapletoft has mentored age-grade gamers extensively. Notably, he served because the Nationwide Academy Coach for the RFU from 2007 to 2010 and spent over a decade teaching at Harlequins.

Mapletoft’s first task as head coach can be to steer the England squad on their upcoming two-match tour of Georgia.

A recruitment course of to fill Mapletoft’s earlier place with the England males’s U18 will start shortly.

Mapletoft mentioned: “I’m very excited to maneuver into the pinnacle coach position with England males’s U20. It’s an enormous accountability to assist form the younger males coming by means of our pathways programme and one I’ve taken nice satisfaction in all through my profession, together with when working with lots of this squad’s gamers and people who’ve gone on to play within the England senior group in my earlier roles.

“Our focus now’s utilizing the tour of Georgia to proceed getting ready for the World Rugby U20 Championship in South Africa, which can be a invaluable improvement expertise for the gamers, by enjoying towards an enormous, bodily facet with a set piece-focus.”

RFU govt director of efficiency rugby, Conor O’Shea mentioned: “We’re delighted Mark will transfer from his present place with the England males’s U18 squad into the U20 arrange. He brings a lot expertise from in and out of doors England Rugby and gives continuity for our pathways programme throughout an thrilling time as we push on to the World Rugby U20 Championship.

“I’d like to increase my due to Alan for his time as England males’s U20 head coach. He’s been an enormous a part of creating our rising gamers since 2019, serving to many younger males develop on and off the pitch throughout that point. The pathways programme is one for each gamers and coaches, and we look ahead to seeing Alan proceed to develop as a coach. We want him and his household the perfect.”

Dickens mentioned he was “very grateful” for his time as head coach of England males’s U20. “The previous 4 years have been an extremely invaluable expertise and it has been an honour to have this position.”