Former England Sevens coach Simon Amor returns to RFU

Simon Amor will return to the Rugby Football Union as interim head of women’s performance at the start of 2027.

He will stand in for Charlie Hayter, who will have taken up the role as general manager of high performance with the British & Irish Lions ahead of the 2027 Howden Lions Women’s Tour of New Zealand.

Hayter, a former England Sevens international, will continue in a hybrid role until March before Amor assumed full oversight of the Red Roses and pathway programmes. He will oversee their Six Nations campaign and preparations for WXV Global Series 2027.

“It’s great to be back with the RFU at such an exciting time for women’s rugby and to work with Mitch again,” Amor said.

“Having worked with some of the players during my time with England Sevens, I know what a special group this is and am excited to support their ambition to reach even higher performance levels. I’m also looking forward to supporting the pathway and the next generation of English talent, while contributing to the continued growth of the PWR.

“I’m delighted for both Charlie and Jo [Yapp, Lions Women head coach], who I’ve worked with previously, and I’m relishing the opportunity to play my part in driving the women’s game forward.”

Amor’s career has seen him work across men’s and women’s rugby. An England Sevens captain in his own playing career, he went on to coach London Scottish and was named head coach of England Women’s Sevens in 2007.

In 2013, Amor was named head coach of England Men’s Sevens and led Great Britain’s men to a silver medal at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. In his role as Head of England Sevens, Amor oversaw both programmes and secured qualification for the 2020 Games in Tokyo.

Later appointed Eddie Jones’ attack coach in 2020 – during which time he helped England men to a 2020 Guinness Six Nations title – Amor has since worked with Hong Kong China, Japan and the USA.

Conor O’Shea, RFU Director of Performance, added: “We are delighted that Simon has agreed to come into this role whilst Charlie and Jo are away with the inaugural B&I Lions.

“Simon brings with him huge credibility and knowledge and we know that he will come into this role to challenge and make a difference which is massively important to us as we evolve both the Red Roses, and our pathway, on the road to 2029 in Australia. We are all excited to welcome Simon back in the New Year.”