Baxter & Gustard join England coaching team for Argentina

Rob Baxter and Paul Gustard will join England's coaching team for the tour to Argentina

Subject to Aviva Premiership placings, Baxter will link up with England Head Coach Stuart Lancaster and Attacking Skills Coach Mike Catt to prepare for the match against the Barbarians at Twickenham on May 26 while Gustard will be available once Saracens’ Premiership and Heineken Cup involvement has ended.

England Head Coach Stuart Lancaster said: “We are delighted to have two quality coaches who have come through the English system for what will be a hugely significant tour for us and a big thank-you should go to Saracens, Exeter and Premiership Rugby for supporting England in this way.

“It was important that we found two coaches who could mirror the skill set of Graham (Rowntree) and Andy (Farrell) while they are away (with the British & Irish Lions) and come in and keep developing the players within our system.

“Paul, having worked together with Andy at Saracens, already has a good understanding of how we operate and Rob, who has done a great job in developing a very competitive Exeter pack, will pick up the set piece and breakdown.

“Both will work alongside Mike Catt as part of our integrated coaching team and we are looking forward to them joining us after their club commitments finish on what is an important tour in our development as a team."

Baxter said: "Obviously I am delighted to have been asked to be part of Stuart's coaching team. I see it as a fantastic opportunity for me to do what we keep saying to the players here at the club, which is to keep learning; keep doing better and experience new things. This is a great chance for me to experience something different, learn from other coaches such as Stuart, Mike Catt and Paul (Gustard) and work with some different players.”

Gustard said: "It's obviously a great honour to be asked to assist in the preparation of the England squad. I am grateful to Saracens for giving me the opportunity to continue my development as a coach at national level."

The details of England’s tour matches are currently being finalised and will be announced in due course.

Note: Should Saracens reach the Aviva Premiership final on May 25 Paul will stay with Saracens until then and the remainder of the England coaching team will run the squad for the Barbarians game. 

ROB BAXTER

The guiding light of the Chiefs for the past four seasons, Rob Baxter is literally Exeter through and through.

A player with the club for 14 years, 10 of which he served as club captain, Baxter amassed over 300 appearances during a distinguished playing career at the old County Ground.

Having retired from the game at the end of the 2004-05, Baxter initially cut his coaching teeth working with the University of Exeter before helping take temporary charge of the Chiefs following the departure of Ian Bremner in 2006.

Later that year the club employed Pete Drewett as their new Director of Rugby and Baxter was added to the club’s coaching staff on a full-time basis, working as forwards coach as the club made their new move to Sandy Park.

He remained in that role until the departure of Drewett in March 2009 and together with team manager Robin Cowling helped see out the remainder of the 2008-09 campaign in the Championship.

Baxter’s talent, however, as a leader was clear to see and when he was entrusted with the role of head coach ahead of the 2009-10 season, and he quickly set about showcasing his credentials. Working alongside former Northampton Saints favourite Ali Hepher, Cowling and Ricky Pellow, the new look coaching team at the Chiefs quickly began to flourish.

Indeed, by the end of the season the Chiefs had booked their place in the inaugural final of the Championship Play-Offs and on a memorable night at the Memorial Stadium in Bristol the Devon club finally reached the promised land of the Aviva Premiership.

Since then Baxter has guided the Chiefs to eighth and fifth in their first two seasons in the top flight, as well as into the Heineken Cup this season for the first time ever. His sterling efforts in command last term saw him claim the ‘Coach of the Year’ accolade at the annual Premiership Awards night.

PAUL GUSTARD

Paul Gustard initially joined Saracens as a player in the 2007-08 season from London Irish and in the past four seasons has established himself as one of the brightest young coaches in England.

As a player he started his career with Leicester Tigers before moving to London Irish and then making the short trip across London to Saracens. He made 173 Premiership appearances in the back row before making a successful move into coaching as the club’s Defence and Forwards Coach.

He played an integral part as the club reached its first Premiership final in 2010 before going one better a year later when they lifted the trophy and throughout his time at the club, Saracens' defence has been one of the meanest in Europe.