England announce coaching restructure ahead of 'very special' phase

Mark Mapletoft has been named the new Head of England Men’s Player Pathways, moving on from his role as head coach of the U20 side, which he has held since 2020.

Former England hooker Andy Titterell, who has served as Mapletoft’s deputy since 2020, will take the reins of the U20 side, with Saracens legend Kevin Sorrell, who left the club after 30 years this summer, working as his assistant.

Mapletoft and Titterell enjoyed a successful five years together, guiding England to Six Nations and World Rugby U20 Championship glory in 2024, and within one match of a Six Nations Grand Slam this year.

The former England fly-half’s new role will see him “work on further aligning the England U17 to U20 programmes whilst liaising closely with Steve Borthwick and PREM Rugby clubs on players of national interest who have graduated from the age-group national teams in recent years,” the RFU confirmed in a statement.

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Mapletoft will also take charge of England A for their fixture against an All Blacks XV at the Rec on Saturday, November 8, as he did last year, where a Henry Pollock-inspired England A side defeated Australia A at the Stoop.

The RFU also confirmed that England U18 coach Jonathan Pendlebury and his assistant Will Parkin will stay in their roles ahead of leading the front five and U18 backs specialist camp at Bisham Abbey this month.

“Today’s new appointments reinforce our aims as a union to support young players to excel in world-leading England teams,” said RFU executive director of performance Conor O’Shea.

“Mark has done a stellar job in helping realign the age-grade system since returning and his role will enable us to continue to build upon that work within the pathway.

“We are incredibly excited to see Andy take on the head coach role of the U20 programme and we look forward to this new chapter for him alongside Kevin. Everyone in rugby can see the amount of talent that is coming through the clubs into England, and we are always aiming to make this better and better. We all believe the next phase for English Rugby is going to be very special.”