Borthwick aims to mimic Bazball in autumn series

England’s rugby players are seeking to emulate the Bazball ethos of their cricketing counterparts and strike a preemptive blow for the nation in the run-up to the forthcoming Ashes series.

- Robert Kitson

Steve Borthwick and members of his coaching staff have had discussions with Brendon McCullum and want their team to make a fast and furious start against Australia in the Quilter Nations Series tomorrow.

There is a desire within the England camp to make a statement over the coming month and Borthwick and his defence coach, Richard Wigglesworth, have been picking McCullum’s brain on the best ways to encourage a positive mindset. “We met Brendon McCullum and his coaching staff a few weeks ago,” said Wigglesworth. “We had a sit down and a coffee in Manchester which was very enjoyable.

“I asked him a lot around how he changed mindsets in English cricket which was really interesting. But then we got into the technicalities of coaching someone one-on-one and what that looks like. I wouldn’t want to say there was one main thing because we sat for a good period of time and took loads from it, but they're on to a good thing.

“We [also] want to be a team that can win in multiple different ways and adapt because every game is different. We feel we've got a dynamic team so we want to play that way.”