England brings in Rugby League convert as attack coach

NEWS: Martin Gleeson will join the England senior coaching set-up as attack coach.

Gleeson joins from Wasps, where he has been the attack coach since 2019.

He enjoyed a successful Rugby League playing career, representing both Great Britain and England.

Gleeson played for Huddersfield Giants, St Helens, Warrington Wolves, Wigan Warriors, Hull FC and Salford City Reds – winning the Super League twice (2002 and 2010) and the Challenge Cup in 2004.

He moved into coaching with Salford in 2014, before joining Wasps.

Gleeson will begin working with Eddie Jones and the wider England staff from Monday, August 9.

“As a player, you always want to represent your country at the highest level and it’s no different for a coach,” Gleeson said.

“This is something I have strived for and coaching England is the pinnacle.

“I’d like to thank everyone at Wasps for my time there, in particular Lee Blackett who took me under his wing after coming from rugby league – and has supported me in taking this opportunity.

‘Now I’m looking forward to working with Eddie, the staff and some of the best players in the world, helping them in their development and achieving their ultimate goals.”

Jones said: “We are building a coaching team to win the 2023 Rugby World Cup, we have five campaigns to go before then so every appointment from here on in is very important.

“We’re starting with Martin as attack coach. He’s a bright young rugby coach with experience at the highest level in League so he will add significant power to the team. He’s done extremely well with Wasps and he will come in and build on the good work that Simon Amor started with us.

“I look forward to welcoming him to the coaching team.”

Following Gleeson’s arrival, John Mitchell will also join Wasps on Monday 9 August.

England will host three fixtures at Twickenham Stadium in the year-end series, opening with Tonga on Saturday, November 6.

They will then play Australia on Saturday, November 13 and South Africa, in their final game, on Saturday, November 20.