Will Parkin Joins England Rugby Pathway Programme Coaching Staff

The RFU is pleased to announce Will Parkin will join the England Men’s U18 coaching staff as an assistant under head coach Jonathan Pendlebury.  

Parkin joins the RFU following a decade at Northampton Saints where he was most recently academy coach, and fills the role vacated by Mark Mapletoft who was promoted to England Men’s U20 head coach in May.  

Parkin said: “I am very excited to be starting with the England Men’s U18 coaching staff as an attack coach. I’ve been in and around the group for a couple of seasons while maintaining my role with Northampton, but to now be working alongside Jon and his squad on a full-time basis is a new opportunity for growth and one I’m ready to take head on.  

“I’d like to thank Saints for being my home for the last decade. It’s a wonderful club and community that has allowed me to help develop many young men on the pitch, and for me personally to also improve as a coach, something I’ll always be grateful for.”  

Pendlebury said: “Our Pathways Programme is for more than just players, and Will starting in this role with the Men’s U18 team shows it’s a chance for coaches to grow in the professional pathway environment also. We’re simply delighted for him to join our team.   

“With a full coaching staff now in place, we’re focused on our tour of South Africa in August.