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The national rugby team are working to embrace the attacking cricket style pioneered by their cricketing teammates and strike a significant impact for the country ahead of the forthcoming Ashes series. The head coach and assistants of his coaching team have had meetings with the cricket coach and desire their squad to begin with a fast and furious opening to the Quilter Nations Series on Saturday.

Confident Mindset Crucial

A shared goal within the England setup to make a statement over the autumn period, and Borthwick and his defensive coach Wigglesworth have been picking McCullum's insights on the most effective ways to foster a positive mindset. “Our meeting with Brendon McCullum and his assistants a few weeks ago,” shared Wigglesworth. “We had a sit down and a drink in Manchester which was highly productive.

“I asked how he changed attitudes in English cricket which was highly enlightening. We also discussed the details of training someone personally and what that looks like. I wouldn’t want to say a single takeaway because we sat for a considerable while and learned a great deal, but they’re on to a effective strategy.

“Additionally aim to become a team that can succeed in multiple different ways and adjust because each match is distinct. We feel we possess a dynamic team so we want to perform accordingly.”

Developing a New Era

Despite a run of seven successive wins in recent months, England followers are still awaiting the arrival of a impressive new “Borthball” approach to match the attention-grabbing style seen in cricket overseen by McCullum and Ben Stokes. The next month, however, offer the chance to take a major step forward with the group selection for the global tournament scheduled to be conducted in the final month.

Beating the Wallabies on match day, hard on the heels of the tour team’s summer series triumph, would additionally help to offset the Aussies' victory in last weekend’s league match ahead of the commencement of the cricket Ashes. There are a number of avid followers of cricket in the national team and the coach thinks the “historic contest” with Australia inspires the two nations. “In my view, both sides genuinely relish facing each other because the rivalry is unique. With luck to secure a win on Saturday.”

Development from Past Tours

Wigglesworth was also a member of the backroom team who tasted success in Australia in the past season and believes all the English team members involved benefited from a lot from the campaign. He has tactfully resisted the inclination to consult the former Wallaby coach, the ex- Wallaby assistant coach now in charge at Leicester, but says the challenges of the campaign has had “a big impact” on his style.

“When you work with world-class talent, growth is natural, because they tend to be the top instructors. I thoroughly enjoyed it, developed significantly, it was a memorable tour and we were victorious. Personally, the squad members have seen a transformation in the lads who were privileged to go on a elite campaign. Until you’ve experienced it, you probably can’t understand. And the team who were in Argentina have likewise improved markedly. So the two have come back together very well.”

Tactical Evolution

The coach’s position with England has shifted with him now presiding over the team’s defence, with specialist input from defensive specialists and Byron McGuigan. This time last year, Australia capitalized on some gaps in the line to win the corresponding fixture, but the opposition are likely to face more resistance in the upcoming match. “We definitely want a aggressive defensive system,” commented the coach, additionally aiming to encourage his team to bounce back in adversity.

“One great aspect about the match is that every game is unique and can be won in various manners. Weather conditions? What’s the referee doing? Each element form part of the melting pot.” The ex- club player is furthermore certain that empowering the team is the best approach for England rather than constantly over-controlling them.

“What I’m not going to do decide our defensive system has to change because of me and my philosophy. As we evolve collectively, the more we know what everyone wants within the team and what’s going to make us a highly effective squad. Subsequently the greater the players can drive standards. Ultimately you reach that sweet spot of autonomy that is productive, not empowerment that is leading to failure.”