Matt Ferguson is reportedly set to return to England's women's rugby coaching staff for a second stint, bolstering John Mitchell's team. Ferguson, who previously oversaw England's forwards between 2015 and 2018, is understood to have been hired as an assistant coach with a specialist focus on the scrum and contact areas.
His return follows the recruitment of Shaun Edwards as a consultant coach, who will concentrate on defence. Mitchell is adding to his backroom team during the WXV Global Series.
The Rugby Football Union (RFU) had advertised externally for the position. Ferguson spent the last year as a transition coach at Harlequins, following seven seasons at Northampton.
England recently had a 39-match winning streak ended by a draw with Canada, before narrowly surviving a tight clash with New Zealand. They are set to face the World Cup runner-ups twice more in October, concluding their international year against the United States in New Jersey.
Lock Delaney Burns is thought to be a doubt for upcoming games due to injury. Captain Zoe Stratford, Abbie Ward, and Rosie Galligan are currently on maternity leave.