Lee Blackett

Lee Blackett (born 21 November 1982 in Chester, Cheshire, United Kingdom) is an English rugby union footballer named the new Backs Coach for the 2015/2016 by the Wasps. He replaces Stephen Jones who will return to the Scarlets. At the age of 30 Blackett became the youngest coach in the Championship in 2013 when, at age 30 the Titans. Previously he was a wing for Rotherham and centre, while also playing the role of captain for the team. After his stint with Rotherham as wing he spent six seasons playing for Leeds Carnegie 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.

Background

Yorkshire Carnegie Tykes[3] initially signed Blackett, a former Rotherham Titans captain, near the end of the 2005/2006 season, on loan.[4] 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.[4] 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. ↑ apb (9 May 2006). "So Long, And Thanks for All the Points....". RugbyNetwork.net. Retrieved 17 August 2015.
  4. 1 2 "Lee Blackett". Yorkshire Carnegie. Retrieved 17 August 2015.

External links

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