John Mitchell handed new role at Wasps

Former England assistant coach John Mitchell, who joined Wasps last summer, has made a switch from attack coach to defence coach at the club, trading responsibilities with Matt Everard. 

Mitchell boasts rich coaching experience with international and heavyweight provincial sides all over the world and should slot into the new role with ease. 

Wasps boss Lee Blackett commented on the switch. 

"When we went into the Premiership Cup, it just felt like we need to make a few changes and rotate some of the staff," said Blackett, whose side lost three successive league games prior to the cup game. 

"John Mitchell has taken hold of the defence, and, I've talked about a load of positive things, he's done really well in terms of that. We trialled it for a week in terms of new ideas, coaches seeing things differently, I asked Matt Everard to do that attack. 

"I think ever since, on both fronts, it's been positive. We've seen little changes and it's been massively positive that's made us carry on with this. 

"It's about trying to get the best out of everyone. When you've got someone of John Mitchell's calibre, his experience and knowing his expertise was in the defensive and how much knowledge he has there, I thought that was a massive advantage. 

"The more I see in Matt Everard the more I see a guy who has been around this set-up for a long time and knows what our attack looks like," added Blackett. "He knows the players. I couldn't be more pleased with the way that's gone. The way those guys have settled into those different roles. I feel it gets the best out of those two as well. In the end, it gets the best out of the team. 

"We trialled seven weeks ago, we won six out of the seven and the draw at the weekend. I am not saying that's the only reason, I think those ideas they've both had in their areas have helped us."