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Six Nations statement: Tom Curry 'Tunnelgate' incident
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England's move for Lee Blackett all but completed
By Jon Newcombe
RugbyPass understands England are close to finalising a deal with Bath to make Lee Blackett a full-time member of their senior coaching team.
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Blackett was handed the honour of coaching England A, as attack coach and then head coach, last November and February this year, before touring Argentina and the USA this summer as the senior team’s attack coach.
England head coach Steve Borthwick was impressed by Blackett’s work as England won all three Tests and would now like to make the move permanent.
The Daily Telegraph first broke news of Borthwick’s intentions last month and according to RugbyPass sources, it is now just a matter of when, not if, he goes.
RugbyPass understands the deal is not yet completely finalised, but the fact that Bath have reportedly already started a worldwide search for his successor suggests they are resigned to losing one of the brightest minds in the game.
Blackett has helped to revolutionise Bath’s attack in the two seasons he has been at The Rec, with the West Country side scoring more tries in a Premiership campaign than ever before, despite only playing 20 games, on their way to last season’s title.
The 42-year-old former Wasps boss is universally liked and respected and will be a hard act to follow if he does leave The Rec, as expected.
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Former Bath playmaker Mike Catt has carved out a successful coaching career for himself since hanging up his boots, working at the international level with England, Ireland and Italy, and is an obvious candidate, especially as he still has roots in the city.
He is currently only one year into his three-year deal with the NSW Waratahs in Super Rugby Pacific. But Bath will have the means to buy him out of the last two years, should they wish to do so, given the sizeable amount of compensation they’ll likely receive from the RFU for Blackett.
Another ex-Bath fly-half, Sam Vesty, is probably on a par with Blackett in terms of likeability and talent. However, Vesty probably sees no reason to move from his head coach role at Northampton, where he is well settled and has helped to deliver success.
Johann van Graan declined to comment when asked about the Blackett situation at the Gallagher PREM launch in London on Wednesday.
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