England have unveiled Simon Middleton as the new Women’s Sevens head coach, although he will not be in place for the opening round of the IRB Women’s Sevens World Series in Dubai on 28-29 November.

RFU coach James Cooper and Susie Appleby will take charge in Dubai - where Englnad will face Russia, Spain and Tunisia in Pool B - before Middleton, the former Leeds Carnegie player and coach, takes up his position in the New Year in time for the second round of the Series in Atlanta on 15-16 February.

The 47-year-old will be looking to build on England’s runners-up finish in the inaugural IRB Women’s Sevens World Series, but his first aim will be to ensure that core team status is retained for the 2014/15 Series.

Middleton, who will also work with the England Fifteens’ set-up as the team prepares for Women’s Rugby World Cup 2014 in France next August, previously spent 11 years coaching at Leeds Carnegie from 2000 to 2011, working alongside the likes of current England coach Stuart Lancaster, Neil Back and Jon Callard.

He already has experience of the women’s Fifteens’ set-up, most recently in the 2013 Nations Cup as an assistant coach, but was also a defence advisor during Women’s Rugby World Cup 2010 in England.

“I am very excited about this new role and working with the RFU,” said Middleton, who joins from Bishop Burton College where he was director of rugby.

“Personally I feel it’s the appointment I've been preparing for since I started my coaching career. To coach your country has to be the ambition of any coach and the pinnacle of any coach’s career.

“When I look at the quality and talent within the current squad and the emerging talent, it’s impossible not to get excited. I see my job as making sure all their skill and athletic potential is converted into success on the Sevens World Series.
 
“I have had the good fortune of working with Gary Street, his coaching team and the EPS (Elite Player Squad) since 2008 in a support capacity, so to now be able to work with the England management team and the players on a full-time basis is something I’m really looking forward to.”

RFU Head of Performance (Women’s) Nicola Ponsford added: “Simon has a wealth of experience as a player and within coaching. He has proven leadership and management skills. We also have worked with Simon previously and he has had a huge impact on players and staff alike.
 
“We are looking forward to Simon coming on board full-time in the New Year, both leading the Sevens programme but also utilising his expertise from within the Fifteens game.”