Neal Hatley to become England's scrum coach

Eddie Jones has added Bath first team coach Neal Hatley to England's backroom staff.

Hatley will take on the role of scrum coach, a position left vacant as Ian Peel was only employed on an interim basis during England's Grand Slam success at the Six Nations.

It soon emerged that Hatley, who has been at the Rec since 2012, was the front-runner for the job and his appointment was confirmed on Thursday.

"We're delighted to have brought Neal into the coaching team," Jones told the Rugby Football Union's official website. "Successful English rugby teams have always had strong, powerful, dominant scrums.

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

Hatley, who will link up with England at the end of the Premiership season ahead of June's three-Test series in Australia, spoke of his joy at working with the national team.

"This is a very exciting time to be joining the England setup," he added. "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'm delighted that Eddie has given me this opportunity."