LONDON (AP) – Richard Cockerill will leave England’s coaching staff to join French rugby club Montpellier, a departure that ends all ties to Eddie Jones’ era in charge of the national team.
Since Steve Borthwick replaced Jones as head coach, members of the Australian’s backroom staff – Matt Proudfoot, Brett Hodgson, Martin Gleeson – have left one by one and Cockerill is the last to go.
Cockerill, a former England front-row forward, was interim coach following Jones’ departure and the arrival of Borthwick. He will continue as forwards coach throughout the Six Nations, England said yesterday, before joining Montpellier to take up the same role.
“Having coached and played in France previously, my family and I always had aspirations to return,” Cockerill said. “This opportunity presented itself some time ago and it was too hard to turn down personally and professionally.
“It is disappointing not to work with Steve and the wider team beyond the Six Nations. I had hoped to be able stay for the Rugby World Cup, but the timings weren’t meant to be.”
