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Redundant Wasps boss Blackett has landed temporary role next month

(Photo by PA)

Lee Blackett has found himself his first temporary coaching work since Wasps went to the wall on October 17, agreeing to coach the Barbarians next month with Geordan Murphy and John Mulvihill when they face Northampton on November 26. When Scott Roberston and Ronan O’Gara were initially appointed as co-coaches for the upcoming tour, the Baa-Baas only had one match arranged – November 13 versus an All Blacks XV at Tottenham.

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However, amid the chaos of the Gallagher Premiership where Wasps and Worcester have been suspended, top-flight clubs in England have been eager to secure replacement fixtures. This has resulted in the Barbarians agreeing to play Harlequins on November 17, Bath on November 20 and Northampton on November 26.

That extended schedule left the Barbarians needing a separate coaching team to see out the tour and a triumvirate of Blackett, Murphy and Mulvihill will now oversee the famed invitation club for its closing match at Franklin’s Gardens.

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It was Monday of last week when Blackett was one of 167 players and staff made redundant after Wasps failed to deliver on the financial takeover needed for it to continue. The fall into administration resulted in the club’s suspension from this season’s Premiership and numerous players have since secured contracts elsewhere.

Blackett has now landed some temporary work himself and he will hook up with his one-time coaching rival Murphy, who was director of rugby at Leicester before he was elbowed aside in the winter of 2020.

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Meanwhile, ex-Cardiff boss Mulvihill, who exited Wales in January 2021 to head home to Australia, took charge of the Barbarians for the second part of their tour last June, taking over the reins for a match versus Spain after Fabian Galthie had led his Baa-Baas pick to an astonishing win over an England XV at Twickenham.

The Barbarians will reportedly look to include the retired Tom Wood in their squad to face the Saints, along with the unattached Luthur Burrell and Wasps duo Brad Shields and Dan Robson. Northampton are staging the match to replace the cancelled November 26 fixture they were due to host against Worcester.

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Hellhound 2 hours ago
Bok rule-benders are changing the game. They deserve respect

You want a lot of things that will never happen. You describe rugby League. You should go and watch that then. Rugby is supposed to be competitive. It's the opposition team that should figure out how to defend and turn it into an attack on the fly. The Boks play within the rules. Everyone says that kick off should have been a penalty. The law state that from a kick off it's a scrum. It's confusing as with mauls and rucks, the player has to be behind the kicker. The same does not hold true for kick offs. That law they can change, because the same rule should apply across the board for players to be behind the kicker. It's not the first time that the infield lineout has been used, only the first time in an international match. If I remember correctly, the Barbarians used it against England in 2021 or 2022 (under correction). It's also been used in SR during the 2000’s. There is just this big hoo haw because the Boks did it. If it was another team like the Irish or England or the French or someone, it would be innovative, genius and brilliant. The dummy the AB's did where a player broke to the right, acting like he had the ball, meanwhile the scrumhalfs ran down the sideline and scored. I don't hear you cry about that. That can be seen as cynical play and there is even a case for unsportsmanlike behaviour and at a minimum a yellow card. Yet there is silence from you about that. I on the other hand thought that was a great tactic. It's also not a new invention, but an old one. You only love rugby when it suits you. I don't care what new tactics teams use, or whoever the team is that is doing it. Every new invention or tactic or play that the coaches comes up with is great for rugby. It keeps it interesting. There is no law that prevents other coaches using the same tactics or create their own. It's up to coaches to come up with defense strategies to cut that down, and even retaliate against it. The game is never boring. It keeps evolving. People keep talking about rugby and all these things is what draw new fans. They don't want boring. They want innovative and fun. They want to hear the crash of bodies. They want to see the strength of the scrums. They want to see the speed, agility and flair of the players. The amazing passes and jukes or side steps. The only reason you are so up in arms is because the Boks did it and now you want it banned. The same rhyme over and over. Matt Williams wannabe. Nah, you don't love rugby or else you would enjoy the most exciting era yet in this lovely sport. Stars in so many national teams has never been more abundant nor was there so many teams that could beat each other on any given day. Not to even mention watching an era of the most controversial but most innovative and clever coach ever. A dynasty that's to last for a very long time even after he retires. Like him or hate him, his genius is undeniable and he is recognised world wide as the best coach in most countries by fans and pundits alike, even if they don't like him. Stop the hate and rather enjoy what's to come.

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