Harlequins coach Nick Evans is the latest new face to join the England coaching staff, although the New Zealander is scheduled to work under Steve Borthwick only for the Six Nations championship.
The former All Blacks first-five will work as attack coach during the tournament, with England kicking off at home to Scotland on February 4. Current attack coach Martin Gleeson will continue in his role.
Borthwick took over from Eddie Jones at the end of last year and has already made a series of changes to the coaching set-up, bringing in defensive coach Kevin Sinfield and releasing forwards coach Matt Proudfoot.
The highly respected Evans played 16 tests for New Zealand, and played Super Rugby for the Highlanders and the Blues. He joined Harlequins in 2008, representing them on 208 occasions, winning the 2011 European Challenge Cup and the 2012 Premiership.
He retired from playing and moved into coaching in 2017, becoming Quins' attack coach and helping them win the Premiership again in 2021, with a high-octane brand of exciting rugby.
"Nick brings with him a wealth of different experiences as a player and coach, which will be incredibly valuable to the growth of our team," Borthwick said. "We aim to build an England team that our nation can be proud of and I know that our supporters will be very excited by what Nick can bring to our side.
"We'd particularly like to thank Harlequins for their support in allowing Nick to work with us during this period. It's a great example of club and country working together."
In the Six Nations' fallow weeks, Evans will return to club duty part-time before Quins' matches against Gloucester and Exeter, then return to the club full-time after the tournament.
"This is an amazing opportunity for Nick, where he will learn and grow so much, which can only be good for the club," said Harlequins rugby performance director Billy Millard.
"I am also confident he will provide Steve and the playing group with excellent support and direction through the 2023 Six Nations."
Reuters
