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The 'brilliant idea' that has boosted Mark Mapletoft's England U20s
By Liam Heagney
Mark Mapletoft has revealed the impact quickly made by Dave Walder following his recent recruitment as the new England U20s attack coach. It was at the start of January when the former Newcastle Falcons boss was added to the English age-grade management ticket and he has reportedly settled in well ahead of Thursday night’s Six Nations opener away to Ireland in Cork.
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“We are very fortunate,” admitted Mapletoft in the run-up to the opening game of England’s title defence. “We were thinking around different combinations of coaches to come in and support us this year and it was tricky.
“Normally we would look into the academies but with Prem Cup on at the same time that was difficult. Clubs are balancing their own resources so we said, ‘What about Dave?’ I said, ‘What a brilliant idea!’
“Dave is a great guy, very experienced, has been head coach at a couple of Premiership clubs, brings a lot of experience to the table and a good challenge for him as well.
“We talk a lot about challenging players and trying to get the most out of them but actually it’s been quite eye-opening for Dave in terms of where lads this age are at in their development and how he has got to adapt his coaching philosophies, styles etc to that level, which is different to coaching a group of senior players.
“I thought it was a great acquisition for us. I have really enjoyed his company, enjoyed his challenge and actually it has taken a little bit of pressure off me from an attack perspective which is good.”
England go in against Ireland with a starting XV featuring nine players capped during the 2024 double winning season that ended in World Rugby U20 Championship glory in Cape Town last July. There is a saying that familiarity breeds contempt, but Mapletoft is satisfied that it won’t apply in an England U20s context despite the limited changeover in his team from one year to the next.
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“It’s a bit easier if it is perceived to be an enjoyable, successful space which would always like to think it is,” he suggested. “We want players to be themselves, we want them to meet new friends and to make some life-long acquaintances, and there is always enough churn every year for it to be slightly different.
“There is always new coaches, there is always new staff, there is always new players. It’s the same venue but we try to mix it up as much as we can.
“I appreciate the question. We have been to the top of the mountain last summer. It was a brilliant achievement but we have got to get back to the top of Everest again.
“That is the challenge ahead for a new group of people and one I am really looking forward to. The enthusiasm, the energy that the lads bring into camp keeps someone like me in my 50s going.”
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