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England head coach Steve Borthwick has completed his back-room team ahead of a crunch November campaign with the addition of Sale’s Byron McGuigan.
Borthwick is preparing England for matches with Australia, Fiji, New Zealand and Argentina. The Wallabies are first up at Twickenham on November 1.
On Thursday, Borthwick confirmed McGuigan will be part of his international set-up for the rest of the season, working with players on the contact area.
McGuigan first worked with England on their successful 2025 summer tour of the Americas and impressed Borthwick.
He will continue in his club role as Sale defence coach outside of Test windows.
‘Byron is a knowledgeable and driven coach with a real passion for improving players,’ said Borthwick.
Byron McGuigan is the last piece of England boss Steve Borthwick's autumn coaching puzzle
Borthwick is preparing his England team for four crunch November Tests in the coming weeks
‘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.’
As a former Scotland wing, McGuigan will also work closely with England’s back three players.
‘It was a huge privilege to be involved during the summer and I’m excited to be back to contribute to the team,’ said McGuigan.
‘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.’
Like McGuigan, Lee Blackett also stood out to Borthwick when working with England on an interim basis this summer.
Blackett is now England attack coach permanently.
Richard Wigglesworth, a Lions assistant in the summer, has moved to become a senior assistant coach and Borthwick’s right-hand man.
McGuigan (right), pictured with his former Scotland team-mate and Bath fly-half Finn Russell
Kevin Sinfield, Tom Harrison, Joe El-Abd and Andrew Strawbridge complete the England team.
Sale director of rugby Alex Sanderson welcomed McGuigan’s England appointment.
‘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 said.
'He can inspire intent from the players because it’s only been a couple of years since he was at the coalface himself.’
