Richard Wigglesworth will do it his way when he steps into the shoes vacated by Steve Borthwick at Leicester.
The former England scrum-half suddenly finds himself in charge of the Premiership champions following Borthwick’s abrupt departure for Twickenham.
Even for the most experienced player in the English game it is something of a hospital pass with just five days to prepare Tigers for Saturday’s home clash with Gloucester.
But Alex Goode, who played alongside Wigglesworth for England and won multiple club trophies with him at Saracens, reckons Leicester have made a smart choice with their choice of interim boss.
Goode said: “Wiggy has always had a phenomenal rugby brain and understanding of the game.
“What he is really good at, and I’ve seen it at first hand, is bringing everyone together by providing leadership, clarity and understanding of what is needed.
“He has big shoes to fill as Steve is an exceptional coach and has had a lot of success both at club and international level.
“But Wiggy won’t be fazed by that. Nor will he just copy what was done before. He will do it his own way.”
Quietly and without fuss, the Blackpool-born star has built a sensational rugby career. His total of 322 Premiership appearances is 57 more than anyone in the history of the league.
Leicester’s Grand Final win over Saracens in June gave him his seventh Premiership title with his third club.
His 33 England caps were earned across a decade, with half-back partners ranging from Jonny Wilkinson in 2008 to Owen Farrell 10 years on.
“Probably the hardest part of this week for him will have been having to hang up the boots as he is still playing great rugby,” said Goode.
“But I always felt he was destined to coach. You could see it in him as time went on.
“Having a good rugby brain is one thing, getting the best out of a group and getting your point across so that everyone understands it and has the clarity to know what to do is another.
“At first some might find him a bit blunt but you quickly understand he wants the best for the group and is incredibly competitive - and actually most people in rugby prefer to hear it straight.
“If someone is telling you what you want to hear or is trying to make you feel better about, say, being dropped, you never really appreciate that. You can smell bulls**t as players.
“I know Steve has done a lot of work with him in terms of how he presents, how he coaches and prepares. Steve is so meticulous and Wiggy has learned a lot from him.
“He’ll take on what he’s learned and he’ll also do it how he thinks is best as well. He is his own man.”
