Scott Bemand named as new lead coach of England Women

Scott Bemand has been named as the new lead coach of the England Women's rugby union team with Matt Ferguson as his assistant.

Bemand, 36, had spells with Harlequins, Leicester and Bath during his playing days before retiring in 2010 and he has most recently been coaching Loughborough Students.

Ferguson has been with London Welsh as forwards coach and was previously involved with the England women's set-up in that role between 2009 and 2011.

They will both report to Simon Middleton who was named overall head coach of both the XVs and Sevens international programmes in February.

Bemand said: “This is a really exciting opportunity to work with the reigning world champions and one I am thrilled about.

"With the sevens in the Olympics in 2016 and England set to defend their World Cup crown in 2017, this is a hugely significant period for England Women and women’s rugby as a whole, and certainly an opportunity that was just too good to miss.”

Ferguson added: “I am honoured to have the opportunity to build on the successful England's women's rugby programme which saw the team crowned world champions in 2014.

"We have a very a talented and exciting group of players, many of who I have worked with previously, and I am really looking forward to teaming up with them again.”

RFU head of performance (Women) Nicola Ponsford said: “After a comprehensive process involving several rounds of interviews, we are delighted to announce the make-up of the new coaching team who will work alongside Simon.

"We have selected two talented coaches both with extensive experience as players and coaches who we believe will add to the programme.

"Matt and Scott are keen to build on the success of the programme to date and have a raft of new ideas to take the programme forward. Matt has a good knowledge of the players in the system having worked in the women’s game previously while Scott will bring a new perspective to the programme from his experience as a player.”