England’s Simon Middleton has made history as the first women’s coach to be named World Rugby Coach of the Year.
Middleton has successfully steered the Red Roses to an incredible 18-game winning streak which sees them top the world rankings.
England won a third consecutive Women’s Six Nations with Middleton at the helm earlier this year, beating France 10-6 at the Twickenham Stoop before lifting the trophy.
Middleton said: “From a personal point of view, it’s unbelievably satisfying. But from a team point of view and a squad point of view, and everybody I work with particularly now at England, it’s as much for them as it is for me.”
The 55-year-old beat off competition from New Zealand Men’s coach Ian Foster, Australia Men’s coach Dave Rennie and New Zealand Women’s coaches Allan Bunting and Cory Sweeney.
Middleton’s side won all eight of their fixtures in 2021, including two resounding victories over the Black Ferns.
The Red Roses trumped the reigning world champions in consecutive weekends with North American duo Canada and the USA also brushed aside by a dominant England team.
Middleton used 37 players across 2021, playing considerable portions without the talismanic Sarah Hunter and Emily Scarratt to send a frightening warning about their strength in depth to their rivals.
It was also a reflection on the culture and coaching skills Middleton has brought and enhanced within the England environment.
A former dual-code player, Middleton joined the England set-up in 2014 having begun coaching at Leeds Tykes after hanging up his boots at the Yorkshire club.
He led the England Women’s Sevens side before working in XVs as assistant coach for the 2014 World Cup in France which England went on to win.
He was named as head coach in 2015, initially in a dual role with the Sevens, and he went on to lead Team GB at the Rio 2016 Olympics as the sport made its Games debut.
Middleton took the side agonisingly close to a medal, finishing fourth in Brazil after a 33-10 defeat to Canada in the bronze medal match.
Middleton has guided England to three Grand Slam Six Nations victories, in 2017, 2019 and 2020, and was also in charge as they made their fifth consecutive World Cup final in 2017, where they went down 41-32 to New Zealand.
He is set to lead the side into the delayed World Cup in New Zealand next year as they look to cement their status as the world’s premier team.
