Warren Gatland among candidates to succeed Eddie Jones with England

[twitchy]

The Rugby Football Union interim chief executive, Nigel Melville, is planning to speak to Warren Gatland as part of his search for Eddie Jones’s successor as England head coach.

Gatland will leave his role as Wales head coach after nearly 12 years in the job after next year’s World Cup and is yet to announce his subsequent plans. Melville, whose top priority as Steve Brown’s acting replacement at the RFU is to lead the search for Jones’s successor, appointed Gatland as Wasps’ forwards coach in 2002.

Melville did suggest his preference was to identify an Englishman for the role, confirming he would have no issue approaching Stuart Lancaster, but revealed he would be taking to the New Zealander Gatland, who has led the last two Lions tours.

“Warren’s a very good coach but I’m not sure what his plans are,” said Melville. “I’ll speak to Warren and a number of others and then we’ll see. We want the best person for the job. I am English, this is England, of course it would be great to have an English coach. But we have got to have the best coach for the job.”

Lancaster has come back into the equation after his stock has risen substantially with Leinster since he was unceremoniously sacked by the RFU after the 2015 World Cup. A role under Andy Farrell at Ireland is more likely but Melville did not rule out an approach. “I haven’t spoken to Stuart so [I’m] not sure if it’s the path that he sees for himself,” added Melville. “I’ll be meeting with everyone who is a potential target for us and I’ll make the list based on that. I don’t know what other people might be thinking but all our top English coaches will be contacted. We will talk to a lot of people about who we will put on our radar. Certainly a lot of English coaches will be on that list, and a smaller number of overseas coaches that you would say will probably be the right fit.”

While Wales and Ireland have both announced their post-World Cup succession plans – Wayne Pivac and Farrell will replace Gatland and Joe Schmidt respectively – England do not intend to approach any candidates until next year and, as was the case when Ian McGeechan and Conor O’Shea were among those consulted over Lancaster’s appointment, the RFU will set up an advisory panel.

After Jones signed a contract extension last January until 2021 – with a break clause if England flop at next year’s World Cup – the RFU is planning for two eventualities. At the time Brown explained the RFU’s ideal scenario was to appoint a successor to work under Jones after the World Cup but, while Farrell is now out of the running, Melville, who has compiled an extensive spreadsheet of potential candidates, insisted England are not behind schedule. “Good luck to them, [they’ve appointed],” he added. “Their coach had decided that he was leaving at end of World Cup, ours isn’t. We’re transitioning through, we want a handover and not be cut off straight away because there will be a lot of learnings from the World Cup that will be important.”


Meanwhile, Melville confirmed he would be speaking to the Rugby Players’ Association after a survey published on Tuesday produced a number of alarming findings, including that 45% of players felt pressured to train or play when not fully fit. The survey, which consulted 350 players from 24 countries, also found that 54% of players felt Tests should not be played outside the international window, as was the case with England’s opening autumn encounter, against South Africa.

In addition, more than a quarter (28%) surveyed said they had hidden head injuries. “It is about putting the players at the centre of everything we do,” said Melville. “We have to look after our players. Their careers are pretty short. We have to make sure they have the best opportunity to maximise their potential.”






https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2018/ ... are_btn_tw

[Stom]

Ah, I got scared when I saw the headline earlier but the context is fine. He was asked a question and he answered it.

Gatland would be terrible, no thank you.

[Scrumhead]

Gatland and Borthwick both on the list ... if it ends up being a choice between those two, I’d be more inclined to go with Gatland!

[Stom]

Gatland and Borthwick both on the list ... if it ends up being a choice between those two, I’d be more inclined to go with Gatland!

Yeah, this is early days considering the comments. I think we can say the list would be...

Gatland
Lancaster
Baxter
McColl
Borthwick
Gustard
Ford
Dai Young
A number of foreign based coaches
Lam? Why not, it's early doors.

If Gatland makes it onto the shortlist rather than the longlist, I'll become a little twitchy...

[Galfon]

I can't see WG having the hunger for another journey of this nature.Borths needs a good 6N and RWC ( though that might mean extended EJ..) if he gets the right peeps around him and selects his captain wisely he'd have as good as chance as any.
A worthy subject for topic 1111 on this organ.

[Mellsblue]

Gatland and Borthwick both on the list ... if it ends up being a choice between those two, I’d be more inclined to go with Gatland!

Yeah, this is early days considering the comments. I think we can say the list would be...

Gatland
Lancaster
Baxter
McColl
Borthwick
Gustard
Ford
Dai Young
A number of foreign based coaches
Lam? Why not, it's early doors.

If Gatland makes it onto the shortlist rather than the longlist, I'll become a little twitchy...

Yep. Melville pretty much they are looking at anyone and everyone, which you’d expect them to do. All the headlines I’ve read, the times is the same, make you think Gatland is favouritefor the job.

[fivepointer]

Gatland has an impressive record with Wales and the Lions. He's worked in England and understands the Premiership/RFU dynamic.
England would be foolish not to seriously consider him.

[Stom]

Gatland and Borthwick both on the list ... if it ends up being a choice between those two, I’d be more inclined to go with Gatland!

Yeah, this is early days considering the comments. I think we can say the list would be...

Gatland
Lancaster
Baxter
McColl
Borthwick
Gustard
Ford
Dai Young
A number of foreign based coaches
Lam? Why not, it's early doors.

If Gatland makes it onto the shortlist rather than the longlist, I'll become a little twitchy...

Yep. Melville pretty much they are looking at anyone and everyone, which you’d expect them to do. All the headlines I’ve read, the times is the same, make you think Gatland is favouritefor the job.

Aye, it's typical press...

[Digby]

Let the record show I'm willing to do it, and I'd take a salary 15% below Eddie's

[Stom]

Hey, I'll take it for half Eddie's salary!

[Scrumhead]

Gatland and Borthwick both on the list ... if it ends up being a choice between those two, I’d be more inclined to go with Gatland!

Yeah, this is early days considering the comments. I think we can say the list would be...

Gatland
Lancaster
Baxter
McColl
Borthwick
Gustard
Ford
Dai Young
A number of foreign based coaches
Lam? Why not, it's early doors.

If Gatland makes it onto the shortlist rather than the longlist, I'll become a little twitchy...

Dai Young? Mike Ford? Really?

Surely the criteria should include actually winning something ...

We’ve seen the limitations of an internal appointment with Lancaster before. Not only is Borthwick completely lacking in the charisma/ability to inspire, but I’d question his pedigree as a ‘winner’ including his playing career at test level.

Like it or not, Gatland and Lancaster are the only candidates with any test pedigree and of the two, Gatland’s record is far more impressive.

Baxter is the popular choice, but Mark McCall has to be in the frame IMO given his success with Sarries both on a domestic and European level and his track record for bringing through test players. There’s nothing really left for him to achieve at Sarries and I’d argue that he’s shown a greater capacity to adapt tactics etc. than Baxter.

Baxter has done an amazing job with Chiefs and I like the ethos that he has built around the club but they play a very one-dimensional brand of rugby that hasn’t yet seen any real success outside of the Premiership. He’s yet to prove that he has the ability to really evolve the way they play IMO. I also think he feels as though he has more to achieve at Chiefs and I don’t get the sense he really wants to move in to test rugby just yet.

The other names I’d throw in to the hat are Vern Cotter and Dave Rennie.

Cotter did a very good job with Scotland IMO and has a shedload of top level experience. Rennie is more of a wildcard, but is already proving that he can translate his success in the SH to the NH and was apparently a strong contender for the Wales job.

[fivepointer]

I rate and like Baxter a lot but he has only played and coached at one club. Think you have to have a far more rounded experience than that to take on the England job.

[Stom]

Gatland and Borthwick both on the list ... if it ends up being a choice between those two, I’d be more inclined to go with Gatland!

Yeah, this is early days considering the comments. I think we can say the list would be...

Gatland
Lancaster
Baxter
McColl
Borthwick
Gustard
Ford
Dai Young
A number of foreign based coaches
Lam? Why not, it's early doors.

If Gatland makes it onto the shortlist rather than the longlist, I'll become a little twitchy...

Dai Young? Mike Ford? Really?

Surely the criteria should include actually winning something ...

We’ve seen the limitations of an internal appointment with Lancaster before. Not only is Borthwick completely lacking in the charisma/ability to inspire, but I’d question his pedigree as a ‘winner’ including his playing career at test level.

Like it or not, Gatland and Lancaster are the only candidates with any test pedigree and of the two, Gatland’s record is far more impressive.

Baxter is the popular choice, but Mark McCall has to be in the frame IMO given his success with Sarries both on a domestic and European level and his track record for bringing through test players. There’s nothing really left for him to achieve at Sarries and I’d argue that he’s shown a greater capacity to adapt tactics etc. than Baxter.

Baxter has done an amazing job with Chiefs and I like the ethos that he has built around the club but they play a very one-dimensional brand of rugby that hasn’t yet seen any real success outside of the Premiership. He’s yet to prove that he has the ability to really evolve the way they play IMO. I also think he feels as though he has more to achieve at Chiefs and I don’t get the sense he really wants to move in to test rugby just yet.

The other names I’d throw in to the hat are Vern Cotter and Dave Rennie.

Cotter did a very good job with Scotland IMO and has a shedload of top level experience. Rennie is more of a wildcard, but is already proving that he can translate his success in the SH to the NH and was apparently a strong contender for the Wales job.

Well, it is a long list. It will have literally everyone on it...

I don't want most of those, but they'll be on the long list, it's only natural.

[Mellsblue]

I rate and like Baxter a lot but he has only played and coached at one club. Think you have to have a far more rounded experience than that to take on the England job.

This

[Oakboy]

If 'everyone' is on the list, where's Deano?

[Puja]

I would be over the moon if Lam wanted to come. Seeing what he's done with Connacht and then Bristol, he's a master of getting a team to play better than the sum of its parts. Can't imagine what he'd be able to do with leading players - heavens forfend that he gets the All Blacks job!

Puja

[Tigersman]

My top 2 choices
Jamie Joesph
Vern Cotter

More wildcard picks
Jon Plumtree
Dave Rennie


But honestly after Eddie I would take
Gatland - Head
Edwards - Defence
Rowntree - Forwards
King/Vesty - Attack

Borthwick should be looking to take a head coach role after RWC if he has eyes on England top job.

[Tigersman]

I would be over the moon if Lam wanted to come. Seeing what he's done with Connacht and then Bristol, he's a master of getting a team to play better than the sum of its parts. Can't imagine what he'd be able to do with leading players - heavens forfend that he gets the All Blacks job!

Puja

Bristol the team with two NZ players on around £2 million a season between them....

[Stom]

If 'everyone' is on the list, where's Deano?

Quite clearly said many times that he has absolutely 0 interest in working with the RFU.

[Digby]

Should whoever comes in build on the 12221 or should we look to start over, again?

[Digby]

If 'everyone' is on the list, where's Deano?

Quite clearly said many times that he has absolutely 0 interest in working with the RFU.

As has often been noted it's an easy thing to say right up until you're offered the job

[Digby]

I rate and like Baxter a lot but he has only played and coached at one club. Think you have to have a far more rounded experience than that to take on the England job.

This

If you stayed at one club but rebuilt the side three or more times during that period adapting tactics in the process you'd come back into the equation, even if I'd prefer in advance someone who'd traveled rather more

[francoisfou]

My top 2 choices
Jamie Joesph
Vern Cotter

Yep!! Vern Cotter would be the ideal man for the job!

[Puja]

I would be over the moon if Lam wanted to come. Seeing what he's done with Connacht and then Bristol, he's a master of getting a team to play better than the sum of its parts. Can't imagine what he'd be able to do with leading players - heavens forfend that he gets the All Blacks job!

Puja

Bristol the team with two NZ players on around £2 million a season between them....

Rugby teams are noted for being made up of only 2 players.

Yes, it's not like he's got no quality (although they were going fine without Piutau for large chunks of this season), but he also does have some... let's be polite and call them 'unfancied players' and he has built a very strong team out of them.

Puja

[Tigersman]

I would be over the moon if Lam wanted to come. Seeing what he's done with Connacht and then Bristol, he's a master of getting a team to play better than the sum of its parts. Can't imagine what he'd be able to do with leading players - heavens forfend that he gets the All Blacks job!

Puja

Bristol the team with two NZ players on around £2 million a season between them....

Rugby teams are noted for being made up of only 2 players.

Yes, it's not like he's got no quality (although they were going fine without Piutau for large chunks of this season), but he also does have some... let's be polite and call them 'unfancied players' and he has built a very strong team out of them.

Puja

Just saying it hasn't even been a season yet.
and they are hardly on a Newcastle/Sale budget.

Connacht was great work though.