'The best way to play and attack is to have fun' says Richard Wigglesworth, England attacking coach.
Richard Wigglesworth, England's assistant manager, insists that entertainment at all costs, like national cricketers, will not figure in his plan of attack for the World Cup.
Wigglesworth, who confirmed he would take credit later this year for England's assault on France's rugby showcase, stressed that tactical flexibility would act as his own version of «Buzzball» in the World Cup, his fourth straight tournament as a player or coach.
“The beauty of rugby is that there are so many different ways to play it,” said Wigglesworth, 40. “If we all try to play the same way, it will soon stop being interesting. We want to be tactically flexible. Does the word «fun» come to my mind when I'm planning? No. It's about how best to play.
“The best way to play and attack is to entertain. There are games that are ugly at times, like South Africa vs. Wales, the [2019] World Cup semi-finals that no one talks about because they played brilliantly in that final, South Africa. There are games that need to be played and won differently, and I want us to be able to do that and move the ball just as well as everyone else at the right moment.
«It's funny. because [the cricket team] was praised, then they lose two games in the Ashes series and questions arise. It's a sport and as such you should try to do your best to win.»
«I'll send a message to the England cricket team»
While Wigglesworth won't emulate an uncompromising approach on the pitch, the 33-time scrum half was intrigued by the setting , which was created by captain Ben Stokes and coach Brandon McCallum. After «disappointing» at two World Cups as a player — 2011 and 2015 — Wigglesworth feels a «great burden of responsibility» to ensure that the team remember this tournament for a lifetime.
«I'm definitely interested [in Ashes] as a viewer,» he said. “Maybe now with this rose on my chest I can visit a few places and dig into their brains. They are very busy right now but I will send some messages… I am wondering what [England cricket team] is doing and hopefully we can turn things around and win three in a row so they ' praised again.
“I'm really interested in an environment where players can go out and express themselves and be happy. This is definitely what we want to do. We want players to enjoy being part of the England team. We are really aware of this.
Wigglesworth has been involved in preparing England for the last three World Cups one way or another will be held in France . Photo: Getty Images/David Rogers
“I feel a great burden of responsibility. I want — hopefully not only at the World Cup, but in advance — to give the players the opportunity to experience something positive that they will remember for a lifetime, and not look back, as I did with a hint of regret. and disappointment.
“We have to start winning. That's what we're here for — we have to win rugby games. This does not mean that we cannot have a really pleasant environment. We are greedy: we want to win, but we also want to have a good time.”
“This is not Leicester”
At the start of the 2022/23 season, Wigglesworth was still a scrum half at Leicester and also assisted Steve Borthwick in the coaching department. Ten months have passed and he has retired, led the Tigers to the Premier League semi-finals as interim manager, spent nine days off with his family (“to avoid a divorce,” he jokes) and has now joined Borthwick along with other players. from Leicester. -winning circle with the national team.
Others include Kevin Sinfield (defense), Aled Walters (strength and fitness) and Tom Harrison (scrum) of the national team. However, this is a new plan; not Leicester Mark II.
“This is not Leicester,” he says. “There are a lot of managers who are still [with England] from the time I played – a lot of support staff. Is it an advantage that I know them inside and out and they know me? It's great, but it's a different group of players, team, environment and a lot of other support around us. We know we work well together, but it's not like we're giving up on what we did in Leicester, that's for sure.
«We've only had two days, that's when we're fully detached together. We are committed to developing the best plan for the players we have. I'm not going to say, «This is how we want to attack.» What we need to do is to attack the best for the right staff on the field.
“We will attack well. The guys, judging by what I've seen in three weeks and two days, impress with how they want to act, how they want to dictate to the opposition. We don't want to be passive offensively, we want to go and make sure we create some problems.»
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