RFU statement: Gleeson exits England role with immediate effect

Seven days after the RFU confirmed that a deal was struck with Harlequins to allow their assistant Nick Evans to coach the England attack in the upcoming Guinness Six Nations, it has now emerged that Martin Gleeson – the national team’s existing attack coach – will leave the role that he has occupied since the start of the 2021/22 season.

No mention was made last Friday in the statement regarding Evans’ appointment as to what would happen to Gleeson now that England are under the baton of new head coach Steve Borthwick.

However, it has now been decided that the assistant recruited to the England set-up by Eddie Jones will step away with immediate effect. A statement read: “The RFU can confirm that England men’s attack coach Martin Gleeson will leave his role.”

Conor O’Shea, the RFU executive director of performance rugby, said: “We would like to thank Martin for his contribution and hard work at England Rugby and we wish him the very best for the future.”

Gleeson added: “It’s been a pleasure to represent my country again and to work with this group of players. I wish them all the best this coming year.”

The confirmed exit of Gleeson is the latest development in the revamp of the England coaching team under Borthwick ahead of next Monday’s announcement of his playing squad for a Six Nations campaign that will start on February 4 at home to Scotland at Twickenham. Gleeson isn’t the first of Jones’ old staff to exit.

Brett Hodgson, who under Jones was set to succeed Anthony Seibold as defence coach for the 2023 championship, left the coaching ticket last week after Borthwick appointed Kevin Sinfield. Scrum coach Matt Proudfoot also stepped down as did Danny Kerry, the former hockey coach who was appointed by Jones in October as the England team training coordinator.