Lee Blackett

Lee Blackett (born 21 November 1982 in Chester, Cheshire, United Kingdom) is an English former rugby union footballer named Head Coach by Wasps during 2019–20. He originally joined Wasps replacing Stephen Jones who returned to the Scarlets. At the age of 30 Blackett became the youngest coach in the Championship in 2013 when, at age 30 the Rotherham Titans appointed him. Previously he was a wing and centre at Rotherham, while also playing the role of captain for the team. After his stint with Rotherham as wing he spent six seasons playing for Leeds Tykes in the Premiership.[1][2] His usual position is at wing or centre. He went to school at King Edward VII and Queen Mary School in Lytham, and played some of his earlier rugby at Fylde Rugby Club.

He was appointed interim head coach of Wasps in February 2020 after it was announced Dai Young had stepped down from first team coaching duties.[3] A role which was later made permanent.[4]

Background

Yorkshire Carnegie Tykes[5] initially signed Blackett, a former Rotherham Titans captain, near the end of the 2005/2006 season, on loan.[6] He was traded with prop James Isaacson who went to Rotherham. He made his debut for the Tykes against Leicester Tigers on 10 March 2006 in the 2005-06 Guinness Premiership and he made a further 2 appearances that season.[6] He is a popular player and has many nicknames. These are generally based around his uncanny resemblance to famous figures; namely Leo Cullen of Leinster and Ireland, Ian Dowie (retired footballer) and most notably, Earthworm Jim.

A product of the Rotherham Titans Academy, Blackett was one of the Titans more consistent players after breaking through to the first XV, going onto make 50 appearances for the club and later being honoured with the role of captain at just the age of 23. Blackett gained representative honours with the England Counties XV and was part of the squad that went on tour to South America. He spent four seasons with the Titans, gaining some Premiership experience with the side in 2004 when he made his full senior debut against Bath.

Blackett went on to make a handful of appearances before the side were eventually relegated. In the National Division One he established himself as the first choice No. 12 and in the 2004–05 campaign was an almost ever present making 24 appearances for the side and scoring five tries, two of these coming against Plymouth Albion in Rotherham's 24–18 league victory.

Blackett has plenty of experience playing in the National Division One and whilst with Rotherham was regarded as one of the division's top players, with a strong reputation as a reliable defender. Despite only joining the Tykes until the end of the 2005–06 season, Blackett was one of the few players who committed their future to the club at the end of the season; which ended in relegation.

Blackett attended and represented Sheffield Hallam University's 1st XV in rugby union where he played alongside Sean Lamont & David Strettle.

On 21 March 2008, Blackett scored the Guinness Premiership's fastest ever try against Newcastle Falcons in the 2007-08 Guinness Premiership, crossing the try line after just 8.2 seconds.

References
  1. "Lee Blackett named as Wasps Backs Coach for next season". Wasps. 26 March 2015. Retrieved 17 August 2015.
  2. "Wasps: Rotherham Titans coach Lee Blackett to join backroom staff". BBC. 26 March 2015. Retrieved 17 August 2015.
  3. "Wasps rugby director Dai Young 'stepping back from first team duties'". BT Sport. British Telecom plc. Retrieved 11 February 2020.
  4. "Lee Blackett: Wasps appoint interim boss as full-time head coach". BBC Sport. 9 April 2020. Retrieved 9 April 2020.
  5. apb (9 May 2006). "So Long, And Thanks for All the Points..." RugbyNetwork.net. Retrieved 17 August 2015.
  6. "Lee Blackett". Yorkshire Carnegie. Retrieved 17 August 2015.
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