Steve Borthwick adds new coach for England's Quilter Nations Series campaign as Sale's Byron McGuigan joins in 'combined role'
Updated 23/10/2025 at 16:49 GMT+1
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England have appointed a new coach for the upcoming Quilter Nations Series, with Sale's Byron McGuigan joining Steve Borthwick's staff in a "combined role". McGuigan, who worked with England earlier this year as part of their summer tour of Argentina and the USA, is currently Sale's defence coach and will work on the collision area, as well as sharing his knowledge of the back three.
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Sale Sharks' Byron McGuigan will join Steve Borthwick's England coaching team for the upcoming Quilter Nations Series.
McGuigan, who has been Sale's defence coach since last November, will continue his role with the Gallagher PREM side while joining the England set-up for this season's international window.
The 36-year-old worked with England during their summer tour of Argentina and the USA and impressed Borthwick.
The England head coach said: "Byron is a knowledgeable and driven coach with a real passion for improving players.
"He has an excellent understanding of the game, both as an international player and now as a coach. I’m looking forward to the impact he’ll make during the autumn."
McGuigan added: "It was a huge privilege to be involved during the summer, and I’m excited to be back to contribute to the team.
"I’m very grateful to Sale for supporting me in taking on this opportunity alongside my club role. It’s a fantastic chance to continue developing as a coach while contributing to both teams."
McGuigan, who earned 10 caps for Scotland in his playing career, is set to join Andrew Strawbridge in working on the collision area.
He will also focus on the wings and full-backs, having played on the wing during his career, which came to an end following the 2023/24 campaign.
In Sale's announcement of McGuigan's appointment, the club's director of rugby Alex Sanderson explained why he is such a popular coach.
He said: "Byron is a coach who is so recently removed from playing that he’s able to tap into the emotions of the players and understand what they’re feeling. He can inspire intent from the players because it’s only been a couple of years since he was at the coal face himself.
"He inspires the lads to want to put their bodies on the line, but layered onto that, his game intelligence, his rugby IQ and his understanding of defensive shape, particularly in the wider channels is excellent.
"He really cares about the club and the team, he’s a fantastic communicator and he has a rapport with the players that means he can deliver honest feedback and they’ll take it on board."
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McGuigan's addition is the latest change in Borthwick’s coaching team, with Richard Wigglesworth now in charge of the defence, Lee Blackett appointed attack coach and Joe El-Abd taking a strategic role.
McGuigan becomes the 11th assistant coach to have worked under Borthwick in less than three years.
England's autumn campaign begins on Saturday, November 1 when they host Australia at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham.
They will then face Fiji and New Zealand before wrapping up the series with a clash against Argentina.
Watch and stream the Gallagher PREM, Quilter Nations Series and Premiership Women's Rugby on TNT Sports and discovery+
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