Neal Hatley confirmed as England scrum coach

Neal Hatley has been confirmed as England's new scrum coach.

England Rugby announced that 46-year-old Hatley will join Eddie Jones' coaching staff from Aviva Premiership club Bath at the end of this season.

Hatley will work two days a week with the England team, with the rest of his time spent working in the Rugby Football Union's player development pathway.

He becomes the latest recruit to Jones' coaching team, linking up with forwards specialist Steve Borthwick and defence mastermind Paul Gustard.

Hatley, a former England Saxons captain, has worked as Bath's scrum and defence coach since 2012. He moved to the west country from London Irish, where he was a long-serving player, then head of Irish's academy and first team scrum coach.

"This is a very exciting time to be joining the England set-up," Hatley said.

"There is an enormous amount of talent in English rugby, and I can't wait to get started.

"I have always had an ambition to coach at an international level, and I am delighted that Eddie has given me this opportunity."

England won the RBS 6 Nations title this season during Australian Jones' first campaign at the helm as they completed a first Grand Slam since 2003.

Jones, who is currently preparing for a Twickenham clash against Wales on May 29 and then England's three-Test Australia tour in June, added: "We are delighted to have brought Neal into the coaching team.

"Successful English rugby teams have always had strong, powerful, dominant scrums, so this is an important appointment.

"Neal is an experienced coach and has impressed me with the work he has done in English rugby.

"I've no doubt he is the type of character who will thrive in an international environment.

"He is a great addition to the team and will complement Steve and Paul very well. We're looking forward to working with him ahead of the game against Wales and tour to Australia."

Ex-prop Hatley's playing career spanned 17 years. In addition to Irish and the Saxons, he also played for Western Province and Natal Sharks in South Africa.

Reflecting on Hatley's departure from the Recreation Ground next month, Bath head coach Mike Ford said: "Neal's work with our forwards has been exemplary, so it's no great surprise that England have come calling.

"We are really pleased for him, because it's recognition of his four fantastic seasons of service to Bath Rugby.

"As a club, we've now got a good opportunity to take a look at our coaching structure so that everything is in place ahead of a new campaign next season."