We need to talk about Eddie...

[Spiffy]

Razor has been contacted apparently.

Well he hasn't exactly kept his name out of the papers by openly suggesting he could join the Lions staff as an assistant. He's probably the highest rated club coach in rugby at the moment but he knows naff all about English rugby so you'd have to select his coaching staff carefully with a mix of those he trusts from NZ and those that know the Prem and English rugby. Someone like Ali Hepher would be ideal.

I'd hope we look at Jamie Joseph of Japan and the blatantly obvious but likely to turn us down Rob Baxter as well. Mark McCall if the Sarries saga hasn't damaged his reputation too much as well. Lam at Bristol is likely to be to expensive.

That said Eddie built well previously and will no doubt have a plan forward as well. Especially once his coaching line up is actually in place.

Joseph was a real thug in his playing days. A nasty cheap shot artist. I hope England do not give him the time of day.

[FKAS]

Razor has been contacted apparently.

Well he hasn't exactly kept his name out of the papers by openly suggesting he could join the Lions staff as an assistant. He's probably the highest rated club coach in rugby at the moment but he knows naff all about English rugby so you'd have to select his coaching staff carefully with a mix of those he trusts from NZ and those that know the Prem and English rugby. Someone like Ali Hepher would be ideal.

I'd hope we look at Jamie Joseph of Japan and the blatantly obvious but likely to turn us down Rob Baxter as well. Mark McCall if the Sarries saga hasn't damaged his reputation too much as well. Lam at Bristol is likely to be to expensive.

That said Eddie built well previously and will no doubt have a plan forward as well. Especially once his coaching line up is actually in place.

Joseph was a real thug in his playing days. A nasty cheap shot artist. I hope England do not give him the time of day.

Yes he certainly had that reputation. He did a really good job with the Highlanders and now with Japan. I don't think Eddie Jones was all sweetness and light on the pitch in his day either.

[Scrumhead]

The England job is one of the biggest in world rugby. Honestly, as promising as Joseph may be, I’m not sure a bit of success at the Highlanders and with Japan is enough IMO.

Also worth pointing out that the Japanese RU gave him literally everything he asked for to give themselves the best possible chance of doing well. The Sunwolves basically had a shadow side for a full season to give him 100% access to their test players. I’m not taking away the achievement, but there’s simply no way he’d have that kind of cooperation from the RFU and English clubs.

[loudnconfident]

Well he hasn't exactly kept his name out of the papers by openly suggesting he could join the Lions staff as an assistant. He's probably the highest rated club coach in rugby at the moment but he knows naff all about English rugby so you'd have to select his coaching staff carefully with a mix of those he trusts from NZ and those that know the Prem and English rugby. Someone like Ali Hepher would be ideal.

I'd hope we look at Jamie Joseph of Japan and the blatantly obvious but likely to turn us down Rob Baxter as well. Mark McCall if the Sarries saga hasn't damaged his reputation too much as well. Lam at Bristol is likely to be to expensive.

That said Eddie built well previously and will no doubt have a plan forward as well. Especially once his coaching line up is actually in place.

Joseph was a real thug in his playing days. A nasty cheap shot artist. I hope England do not give him the time of day.

Yes he certainly had that reputation. He did a really good job with the Highlanders and now with Japan. I don't think Eddie Jones was all sweetness and light on the pitch in his day either.

Joseph did a pretty good job on Kyran Bracken's ankle. Joseph can't be a serious England consideration.

[Bored Falcon]

No one is going to agree with me. But I'd like a coach that had coached in the Prem.

Lam would be an exciting pick. But I'm going to throw out a very left field choice:Deano.

He's good at getting the most out of players. All his side's are well drilled. Good at bringing in coaching talent. He is pragmatic but not boring when it comes to playing style.

He also wouldn't look like a child when being interviewed pitch side by Bayfield.

Baxter worries me because he's only coached in one place.But I'd be interested

[Digby]

I've got no issue with Deano being a candidate. But Eddie is picking most of the better players available, and the side have developed since the autumn. If I thought someone else would come in and achieve perfection I'd see sense in moving Eddie despite the precarious finances, but I don't think anyone would be perfect

[Bored Falcon]

I've got no issue with Deano being a candidate. But Eddie is picking most of the better players available, and the side have developed since the autumn. If I thought someone else would come in and achieve perfection I'd see sense in moving Eddie despite the precarious finances, but I don't think anyone would be perfect

I'd say most of the better players on form is arguable, although I doubt he expected the sarries lot to be so off the pace.

But in what way have they developed. either England have gone backwards or everyone else has pulled ahead.

[Digby]

I've got no issue with Deano being a candidate. But Eddie is picking most of the better players available, and the side have developed since the autumn. If I thought someone else would come in and achieve perfection I'd see sense in moving Eddie despite the precarious finances, but I don't think anyone would be perfect

I'd say most of the better players on form is arguable, although I doubt he expected the sarries lot to be so off the pace.

But in what way have they developed. either England have gone backwards or everyone else has pulled ahead.

I didn't say anything about form, I did say better which is a different and more important thing. That said the side have developed in how they attack, the play is now much faster and we saw that in every game bar the Ireland one really, it's been a welcome step change when they've not been busy undermining themselves with penalties

[FKAS]

The England job is one of the biggest in world rugby. Honestly, as promising as Joseph may be, I’m not sure a bit of success at the Highlanders and with Japan is enough IMO.

Also worth pointing out that the Japanese RU gave him literally everything he asked for to give themselves the best possible chance of doing well. The Sunwolves basically had a shadow side for a full season to give him 100% access to their test players. I’m not taking away the achievement, but there’s simply no way he’d have that kind of cooperation from the RFU and English clubs.

Winning Super Rugby with the Highlanders is no mean feat. Japan also played really nice successful rugby at the world cup. He might not get the same buy in from the English clubs but would he need it? There's the core of a top 3 side in the world already there and a plethora of talented young players vying for inclusion.

[p/d]

Lots of reasons given to dismiss candidates but, save the time gap between now and the WC and a hollow comment by Itoje, none really paper over the cracks appearing in Jones’ tenure.

[Spiffy]

I've got no issue with Deano being a candidate. But Eddie is picking most of the better players available, and the side have developed since the autumn. If I thought someone else would come in and achieve perfection I'd see sense in moving Eddie despite the precarious finances, but I don't think anyone would be perfect

Dean Richards still carries a bit of "bloodgate" baggage that he will find hard to lose when it comes to being considered for the job of national coach.

[Digby]

I've got no issue with Deano being a candidate. But Eddie is picking most of the better players available, and the side have developed since the autumn. If I thought someone else would come in and achieve perfection I'd see sense in moving Eddie despite the precarious finances, but I don't think anyone would be perfect

Dean Richards still carries a bit of "bloodgate" baggage that he will find hard to lose when it comes to being considered for the job of national coach.

I've not forgotten it, merely it doesn't bother me much. It's not like he's Paddy Jackson

[Spiffy]

I've got no issue with Deano being a candidate. But Eddie is picking most of the better players available, and the side have developed since the autumn. If I thought someone else would come in and achieve perfection I'd see sense in moving Eddie despite the precarious finances, but I don't think anyone would be perfect

Dean Richards still carries a bit of "bloodgate" baggage that he will find hard to lose when it comes to being considered for the job of national coach.

I've not forgotten it, merely it doesn't bother me much. It's not like he's Paddy Jackson

Yes.
It may not bother you, but could bother those who decide such an appointment.
But, in any case, what's Paddy Jackson got to do with the possible future of Richards as an England coach?
The issues/history are totally unrelated.
Jackson's international career is clearly over, so what's your point?

[Mr Mwenda]

Hasn't Deano in the past made comments along the lines that he really wouldn't like being England coach?

[fivepointer]

Warren Gatland anyone?

[Digby]

Warren Gatland anyone?

If you could just take yourself out back and do the decent thing

[Digby]

Dean Richards still carries a bit of "bloodgate" baggage that he will find hard to lose when it comes to being considered for the job of national coach.

I've not forgotten it, merely it doesn't bother me much. It's not like he's Paddy Jackson

Yes.
It may not bother you, but could bother those who decide such an appointment.
But, in any case, what's Paddy Jackson got to do with the possible future of Richards as an England coach?
The issues/history are totally unrelated.
Jackson's international career is clearly over, so what's your point?

Deano's error in judgement is forgivable at this level. And yes others may disagree, but I wasn't supposing to speak for them

[Digby]

Hasn't Deano in the past made comments along the lines that he really wouldn't like being England coach?

He has, and it would be understandable. Though lots of people make such comments and then find the actual offer is something they happily accept

[Mellsblue]

Warren Gatland anyone?

Thought this yesterday evening...... I’ve had a terrible nights sleep.

[Mellsblue]

I was possibly his harshest critic on here when he was Eng HC but I’m surprised Lancaster isn’t being mentioned. I know you should never go back to the scene of the crime but he’s actually qualified for the job now.

[Oakboy]

Pat Lam in charge to set the style with Edwards as defence coach to keep it tight when it matters. Maybe Hepher could be prised away from Exeter to apply the close stuff.

[Digby]

Why would you want to pair Hepher and Lam?

[Banquo]

Why would you want to pair Hepher and Lam?

sheeple

[Which Tyler]

Why would you want to pair Hepher and Lam?

Barbecue in the car park?

[Mellsblue]