England’s attack coach Richard Wigglesworth shares the one thing is team do before every game (Image: Getty Images)
Richard Wigglesworth, attack coach for England Men’s Rugby Union team, has revealed his key strategies for preparing his squad for global success.
The coach, who enjoyed a decorated playing career, expressed that physical strength is only half the battle and emphasised that mental preparation is just as crucial as being in top physical condition.
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“We take a lot of time and consideration in how we help the players to be in the best possible mental state before they go out and perform for England,” he stated.
“I want players to be able to go out and show the very best of themselves. Negative thoughts are natural, but as a coaching programme, we place huge value on equipping players with the mental strategies to be positive about their next action.”
A study commissioned by Honda, the official performance partner of the RFU, found that 90% of athletes believe mental preparation is vital and aids them in performing well in sports.
A key method of doing so was through mental visualisation techniques; a substantial 62% use mental visualisation to enhance focus, while 55% utilise it to boost confidence.
Furthermore, nearly half (47%) find it beneficial for maintaining calm in high-pressure situations, and 42% use it to combat performance anxiety.
Comparing it to any other skill, Richard added: “Visualising your most likely first actions in a game helps you feel like you are going to start the game well.”
“Additionally, thinking about the most likely skills you will have to perform repeatedly, like a hooker throwing and visualising hitting the target, can be very beneficial.”
Stars Ben Curry, Alex Coles, and Harry Randall celebrating the RFU’s partnership with Honda (Image: Honda / SWNS)
Athletes incorporate sound, such as hearing the crowd, into their visualisation practices or use touch, like feeling the ball, to enhance mental imagery.
Speaking on behalf of Honda, who commissioned the study to raise awareness of their sponsorship with the RFU, Rebecca Adamson, head of automobiles at Honda Motor Europe (UK) said: “We believe that the power of dreams extends beyond physical capability to the strength of the mind.”
“We’re proud to champion the importance of focus, confidence, and positivity -qualities that inspire individuals to push their limits and achieve their goals both on and off the pitch.”
In addition to mental visualisation, more than half use breathing exercises to help their performance, and the same amount rely on positive self-talk. Others use goal-setting or meditation.
It also emerged 58% believe visualisation and mental preparation should be a regular part of training for sports players.
RICHARD WIGGLESWORTH’S TOP FIVE TIPS FOR EFFECTIVE MENTAL PREPARATION:
1. Practice regularly: Like any skill, visualisation improves with repetition. Start by experimenting and find what works best for you.
2. Visualise your first actions: Prepare mentally for the initial moments of the game to set a confident tone.
3. Focus on repeated skills: Reinforce confidence by visualising key skills you’ll perform multiple times, such as lineouts or tackles.
4. Use specific scenarios: Work with your coach to identify challenges and visualise how you’ll positively impact the game.
5. Rehearse situations: Walk the pitch and mentally prepare for potential scenarios to boost confidence during the game.