new management structure

[baldpaul101]

just up on the offy

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.

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.

“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.

Stephen Vaughan, Wasps Chief Executive, commented, “Since taking over as interim Head Coach in February, Lee’s impact has been extremely positive. The results on the pitch speak for themselves and he fully deserves the opportunity to lead the group. He is very driven, has good rugby intellect and is relishing working with the talented group we have. Lee sees growth in the squad, and we’re excited about the new additions to support him and how they will work together.

“Pete and Richard bring a wealth of experience with them, and their pedigree at elite level sport is unquestionable.

“We believe this new structure, which removes the need for a Director of Rugby, is the best fit for the club. I am confident that we have the right leadership team in place to take us forward and start the next chapter of our history.”

[baldpaul101]

with no DoR, assume Vaughn takes on some of that responsibility?

[Neils]

Interesting developments. A bit sorry to see Titters go but all sounds a bit positive. Must admit I expected a DoR appointment.

[NellyWellyWaspy]

with no DoR, assume Vaughn takes on some of that responsibility?

Maybe, maybe not.

[jamestaylor002]

I think as long as Lee can focus on the rugby side and doesn't get too drawn in by the DOR side of things, I'd expect that to be a good thing?

[RogerE]

Wonder where "Head of Performance" sits in the hierarchy - does that mean he is in charge of the Analysts, or a more overall role?

Sorry to see Titterall go, hope the new guy allows the forwards to continue, and improve on, the expansive role we have become used to seeing.

Assume that Costello is still defence coach.

[Raggs]

Given his history, I'd guess head of performance is strength and conditioning related, given Baugh will be leaving.

[Vespula Vulgaris]

I'm a little underwhelmed by that. But I guess it gives the club the opportunity to spend more time looking for a DOR without any uncertainty floating around.

[Neils]

Given his history, I'd guess head of performance is strength and conditioning related, given Baugh will be leaving.

This. I took this to be a direct replacement.

[HDAWG]

Agree, bit underwhelming.

Saddened we still only have one forwards coach, and Titterrell is one hell of a forwards coach to lose.

Glad Blackett is staying, but risky not having more experience.

On the whole I wouldn't say better I'd say different. No clear improvement in management from first impressions, but we'll have to wait for results to judge them properly.

[HDAWG]

I'll add it's interesting Vaughan has pushed this structure doesn't need a DOR implying we won't be getting one in the future. Unless Blackett is on a contract that's only one season.... Not gonna lie I'm very surprised we haven't seen Howley, Walder or Worsley or even a combination of them taking over. Bit cautious we don't do a Leicester and leave someone in charge who may not have the experience to take us to the top.

[JonnyD]

Definitely a bit underwhelmed.
Dai talked about the small coaching team, which seemingly the board agreed with but now we seem to be getting smaller.
Pendlebury’s role in the academy was taken up by Kevin Harman who I believe is also still doing the team management job and recruitment for the first team, could be wrong on that one though.
Atkinson replaces Baugh but does Blaze replace Dai’s role with the forwards or Titteral’s?
Not sure if he did anything of note at Leicester but this was when they did a lot of recruiting from within I think and it didn’t work out for them.
So Costello stays??
So who now does the Dai jobs? Vaughan? And what role does a head coach have, will he still have time for being backs coach - does Jimmy get phased in?

Not quite the all star list people were hoping for and I would have liked us to get a bit of old school wasps in there.
Worried now we don’t have a front row specialist in there at all and the team is getting smaller and possibly less experienced.
Also this does sound a bit like a money saving task. If we still had Dai on his money and were then trying for Edwards or Borthwick on big money, our team of Blackett, Blaze, Costello and Everard are at a mere fraction of that price.

Hoping for more to come, Jimmy to assist with the backs possibly and a scrum coach

[WaspsUpNorth]

Supporters across most team sports tend to clamour for former favourite players to be appointed in these scenarios though rarely do such appointments bring the desired results.

Personally I'm glad a young coach is being given a chance, they have to start somewhere, and we haven't just gone for a "name" on silly money.  Blackett's trial period was limited but I think we all could see an improvement in playing fortunes.  Player recruitment is the unknown area - who is to take the calls from agents touting their players?

Anyway Lee has my full support for whenever the game restarts.   

[Tervueren]

Good, congratulations Lee.

He has done well for Wasps over the years, not just the most recent 3 matches, so well done. From a practical standpoint he is incumbent so less potential for disruption.

It might not work out, but I don't see it as less likely to work than Worsley or anyone else who has been touted.

[JonnyD]

Knew Blaze’s playing career was cruelty thwarted by injuries but he has done a lot already despite still only being 34.
Stolen from Wikipedia:

Blaze started his coaching career at Leicester Tigers in 2010, as an assistant forwards coach to the first team and Head Coach to seconds Team. Alongside Richard Cockerill, Matt O'Connor and Paul Burke. As a coaching team they went on to win two English Championships, in 2010 season and again in 2013. Tigers also reached Premiership finals in 2011 and 2012,narrowly missing out to Saracens and Harlequins respectively.

In 2011-12 as Head Coach of the seconds team Blaze coached the Tigers to LV Cup Title 2012 LV Cup, which they then repeated in 2017 2016/17. In 2015 Richard was appointed as First Team Forwards coach, under Head coaches Richard Cockerill and Aaron Mauger.

In 2017 Richard Blaze stood down from his position has 1st Team forwards coach to explore new challenges and was quickly made academy coach for Leicester Tigers and England Under 20s Forward Coach.

As an academy coach Blaze was a part of the coaching team at leicester Tigers that coached the academy to their first championship and are currently the National Academy Champions.

As England Under 20s Forwards Coach Blaze, coached the side though a Under-20 Six Nations and Under-20 Rugby World Cup. Making into the Final of the World Cup, narrowly missing out to France in the final, in France.

Richard Blaze is currently the Forwards and Defence Coach for the England Women's First Team. After completing an successful autumn international period, they had gone on to become grand slam champions of 2019.