Eddie extends to 2021

[Mellsblue]

I'm not desperate for an England coach, but I believe this is the purpose of the succession planning, to get an English coach in a position where he can run the side.

I think the new chap said he wasn’t so bothered about it being an English successor. This announcement seems to contradict this.

[Which Tyler]

It's not like Baxter (for example) couldn't get a job in France/Ireland etc on his own merit.

Allegedly, he turned down Clermont. When Cotter left....I think. I thought winning the Prem with Exeter might be a watershed and he’d then consider moving on but the last interview I saw of him he said he couldn’t really see himself leaving, even for England.

If he doesn't want to do what he'd need to do to get the England job, and isn't bothered about getting the England job; then I don't want him to get the England job

[Mellsblue]

It's not like Baxter (for example) couldn't get a job in France/Ireland etc on his own merit.

Allegedly, he turned down Clermont. When Cotter left....I think. I thought winning the Prem with Exeter might be a watershed and he’d then consider moving on but the last interview I saw of him he said he couldn’t really see himself leaving, even for England.

If he doesn't want to do what he'd need to do to get the England job, and isn't bothered about getting the England job; then I don't want him to get the England job

Agreed.

[twitchy]

I think it's crazy that people think he would want to leave exeter right now given his personal connection to the club and the legacy he is building. He should be applauded for staying.

England will crash and burn at some point and there will be countless job openings in the future. We all know the drill.

[fivepointer]

I'm a big Baxter admirer. Exeter are a top club, developing top players and Baxter has an awful lot to do with that.
My reservation with his possible move to the England job is his very limited experience. He really has known ONE club, both as a player and as a coach.
That may work on the level he's at now, but I worry that his lack of working in a range of environments may not be the best preparation for a national coach.

[Mellsblue]

I'm a big Baxter admirer. Exeter are a top club, developing top players and Baxter has an awful lot to do with that.
My reservation with his possible move to the England job is his very limited experience. He really has known ONE club, both as a player and as a coach.
That may work on the level he's at now, but I worry that his lack of working in a range of environments may not be the best preparation for a national coach.

Agreed.

[Mellsblue]

It would not be my choice, but the most likely candidate for the guided takeover process would be Andy Farrell.

My first thought was that it sounded like a route to bring Lancaster back in to the job. I’ve talked myself down from the window ledge and can now write this confident it’s not to be true. Farrell does make more sense but you’d think he’d have enough international experience in a couple of years to walk straight in to the top job. Not that I’d want him to.

[Which Tyler]

I think Farrell needs a bit longer to rehab his image within the game in England. 3 years might be enough for that, but he's plenty young enough to go for the 2028 vacancy* - by which time he won't have the complication of picking his son.

* With this much prep, and a hand over period, things would have to be pretty disastrous for the next coach not to get 2 RWCs.

Even Deano would still raise question marks is appointed in 2020, and that's already 9 years ago with good image-rehab.

[Digby]

I don't know it's clear what role Eddie might have post 2019 which allows for a number of different types to be approached. Whether it's good or not as a plan will only be known in hindsight, if the team have a shocking 2019-2021 then the plan will have gone down the toilet

[Digby]

One thing this will or at least might so is shift Eddie's thinking about the aims for 2018, maybe it means a Haskell is less likely, I can only hope it means Hartley is less likely to continue

[Which Tyler]

Good plan =/= Good execution of plan =/= successful plan

[belgarion]

Good plan =/= Good execution of plan =/= successful plan

'No plan survives contact with the enemy'

[Mush]

Steve Borthwick? Has built up experience, ideally placed already and would be a route to real personal development

[Puja]

Steve Borthwick? Has built up experience, ideally placed already and would be a route to real personal development

I do really like the idea of Borthwick stepping up. Andy Robinson has soured the idea of a no2 taking over, but NZ have made it work (and appear to be trying to again), and Borthwick's impressed me with his cerebral approach to the game.

If England are successful in 2019, then I'd see him as the favourite.

Puja

[Digby]

If we lose under Borthwick will his nose start to bleed again?

[Oakboy]

Steve Borthwick? Has built up experience, ideally placed already and would be a route to real personal development

Has he got real dressing-room credibility in any area but coaching the lineout?

[Digby]

Steve Borthwick? Has built up experience, ideally placed already and would be a route to real personal development

Has he got real dressing-room credibility in any area but coaching the lineout?

Yes. But the real questions are around setting team strategy and even more importantly selecting the squad and XV/XXIII, and whilst he's had an input he's not been responsible for it

[Scrumhead]

Allegedly, he turned down Clermont. When Cotter left....I think. I thought winning the Prem with Exeter might be a watershed and he’d then consider moving on but the last interview I saw of him he said he couldn’t really see himself leaving, even for England.

If he doesn't want to do what he'd need to do to get the England job, and isn't bothered about getting the England job; then I don't want him to get the England job

Agreed.

I think it’s a little more complex than that and I don’t think it’s a lack of ambition.

At the point he turned Clermont down, he obviously felt that he hadn’t taken Chiefs as far as he could. The fact that he’s since taken them to a Premiership title validates that decision.

I imagine he is now feeling that he has the chance to establish them as a genuine contender on the European stage and probably wants to see how far he can take that ambition.

Given his connection to the club, I can understand those motivations. He’s also relatively young in coaching terms, so for now, I don’t mind him sticking with Chiefs.

Baxter aside though, I do feel our coaches should be doing more to give themselves international exposure. We import plenty and it would be nice to see us export more. Good on the guys like Farrell and Worsley who have sought opportunities that a bit more out of the comfort zone of English rugby.

[Digby]

Also exported, Cockerill, Lancaster, King, Edwards...

[Mellsblue]

Plus Teague and Vass

[Banquo]

Plus Teague and Vass

Robinson, Ford, Ashton in the past.

[Scrumhead]

It wasn’t an exhaustive list - I just used those two as examples.

Lancaster had his time but I’d like to see some of those guys come back and take on broader head coach roles (when they’re ready) before they’re in the England conversation. Personally, I’m not wholly convinced a coach can go from being a defence or lineout specialist to have full accountability overnight.

[Digby]

Of course with Farrell he's already had the selection responsibility part

[Timbo]

Personally, I’m not wholly convinced that English rugby wouldn’t be best served by leaving Baxter and McCall where they are to continue to develop and bring through lots of very talented English players.

[Banquo]

It wasn’t an exhaustive list - I just used those two as examples.

Lancaster had his time but I’d like to see some of those guys come back and take on broader head coach roles (when they’re ready) before they’re in the England conversation. Personally, I’m not wholly convinced a coach can go from being a defence or lineout specialist to have full accountability overnight.

definitely so, certainly need head coaching experience at 'lower levels' imo unless exceptional. The New Zealand model, again, is excellent- no matter what your reputation as a player (say) was, you have to earn your stripes, and its a planned progression as I understand it.