Borthwick hopes England can emulate Bazball mentality for autumn series

Head coach and Wigglesworth meet Brendon McCullum
England face Australia on Saturday awaiting ‘Borthball’ era

England’s rugby players are seeking to emulate the Bazball ethos of their cricketing counterparts and strike a pre-emptive blow for the nation in the runup to the forthcoming Ashes series. Steve Borthwick and members of his coaching staff have had discussions with Brendon McCullum and want their team to make a fast and furious start to the Quilter Nations Series this weekend.

There is a collective desire within the England camp to make a statement over the next month and Borthwick and his defence coach Richard Wigglesworth have been picking McCullum’s brain on the best ways to encourage a positive mindset. “We met Brendon McCullum and his coaching staff a few weeks ago,” revealed Wigglesworth. “We had a sit down and a coffee in Manchester which was very enjoyable.