Blackett is waiting to step up for top job at Titans

Signed last season by Andre Bester on a player-coach contract, the long-time Leeds player has fulfilled all manner of roles in his second spell at Clifton Lane.

Initially a backs coach, he was called upon to take charge of team affairs in the five-week period between Bester’s departure and Alex Codling’s arrival in the autumn.

Under Codling, his remit broadened to coaching attack and defence to the backs, and the art of crossing the gain and trylines with the forwards.

Now, with Codling on his way out, the dependable Blackett is emerging as a genuine contender to be the next head coach of Rotherham Titans.

Despite only being 30, he has been coaching rugby union since he was 18, and among his many functions at Rotherham this season, he has often been the conduit – the peacemaker if you will – between the players and staff.

He is also thought of very highly by the Rotherham hierarchy, who were not afraid to trust in him in the wake of Bester’s departure, and appear more and more likely to bestow on him the role of Codling’s long-term successor.

Such is Blackett’s influence, he has even sat in alongside directors Nick Cragg and Martin Jenkinson on the interviews of the head coaching candidates.

Rotherham have narrowed their search to two men, both of them forwards specialists.

If one jumps off the page, they will appoint him before the end of this month with Blackett operating beneath him as backs coach.

If neither impress, the job looks set to be handed to Blackett, who would be only too happy to oblige.

“I’m interested, of course I am, I’m a Rotherham man,” says the former academy player.

“And if the right man comes forward then I’m more than happy to work underneath him.

“Generally, the club is looking for a forwards coach and if he’s not head coach material then I will put my name forward.

“I just want what’s best for the club. Rotherham need stability, someone who is going to stay here for three years and build something.

“This club is in a good position. There’s a downer around the place at the minute due to the situation but, at this moment in time, we have got 17 players either signed or verbally agreed to come back next season.

“In the last seven or eight years, that has never been the case.

“Among the players coming back is Charlie Mulchrone, who for me is the best scrum-half in the division. Captain Garry Law is returning, as is Dan Sanderson, who is a ball-carrying lock, plus our starting front-row from last week, Gareth Denman and Marshall Gadd, are coming back.

“It’s a lot more positive than it looks.”

If he were to get the top job, Blackett would be the youngest head coach in an increasingly competitive second tier.

What he lacks in experience, though, he makes up for with commitment and enthusiasm.

“Coaching is something I’ve always wanted to do, from the age of 18 I was doing a little bit of coaching at my old school, King Edwards in Lytham,” says Blackett, who has also coached the Sheffield Hallam University team.

“The positive thing for Rotherham, either way, is they have got someone who has now been coaching at this level for a year.

“I’m learning all the time, I’ve tweaked things here and there, and overall we’re getting better and better in attack.

“We scored three tries against Newcastle when they’d not conceded for weeks.

“If a new head coach is appointed then I’ll put my point across but ultimately the final say is his.

“Whoever is appointed, it has to be the right decision for Rotherham Titans. I came through the academy here, I care about this club.

“People will look at my age and say that it’s difficult stepping down from being a player.

“But I’ve made great friends here and while I accept that I will have to distance myself a little from the players, one of the benefits I have is that the players feel comfortable with me and feel that they can come and tell me if there’s an issue.”

Such is his natural liking for coaching, that letting go of the playing side of his career may not be as difficult as it perhaps is for other players. Blackett will call time when he feels enough is enough, either this summer or next, though any increase on an already cluttered workload may prove decisive.

“At times, I’ve found it hard doing both roles,” says Blackett, who could feature in the team that finishes the Championship season with three straight home games, starting on Wednesday against Cornish Pirates.

“It can be difficult to be critical of players when you’re making mistakes yourself.

“On the flip side, there’s all the hard work you have to put in, because I’m a person that when I commit to something I commit.

“When the boys are going home after training, I’m heading into the office to review the session, watch video of opposition and do one-on-one sessions with players.”

For their part, the Rotherham board appreciate Blackett’s value to the club.

Chairman Cragg said: “Lee is in the frame for the top job, certainly.

“Whatever will be decided will not be to the detriment of Lee.

“If together we think someone would add more value to the position then Lee will not stand in the way. He knows his time will come.

“But what we like about Lee is that he wants to stay with Rotherham Titans, which is important.”