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Has saints attack really improved with King?
Have certainly hit a bit of a road bump ATM.
It did last season. (significantly)
Jake White....
Has saints attack really improved with King?
Have certainly hit a bit of a road bump ATM.
Nice to see nobody trying to defend SL and claiming this is some sort of mistake. I was aghast when he was given the job and I'm thrilled he's gone. Not on any personal level but as a coach he was disastrous. I am heartened by Ritchie ' s claim to be looking for an experienced international coach. That, of course, means that only an insane return for SCW can prevent a foreign coach. I just hope that a properly experienced and qualified coach will, finally, be appointed after these 12 wasted years. After all this inconsistency and drift I want to see a coach who will identify and stick with the best team to suit his style of play, some tactical flexibility but who will have a core of players who are kept together. I want to see players given clear roles and played in position. I would prefer a centre pairing that has some craft and skill. I'll sacrifice absolute defensive solidity for some invention and flair. I do not want to see Brad Barrit or any similar heads down, bulldozing player in an England shirt. I want a creative and intelligent 10 who can really spark the team which means Farrell can't be it. Don't select players who lack basic skills for their role. Tom Youngs is a hooker who can't throw reliably, therefore is no use etc. I expect clear tactics which aren't constantly tinkered with. I want to see the three useless 'coaches' who are inexplicably still there removed also. Given all this I don't see anyone but White who is likely to take it and fits the bill. I think Cotter is a good idea but maybe not quite proven yet. I don't want to see some fudge like Geech and the nightmare scenario is yet another no mark, no hope internal RFU yes man with no experience. I wouldn't put it past the stuffed shirts to 'promote' Farrell as the 'natural' replacement and claim he's got international experience, but they couldn't possibly make such a disastrous error, could they??
We've got 7s and 10s, though!However, for #2 and #3, I have a couple of ideas. I have watched a far bit of Aviva Premiership this year, and I have to say, I am yet to see a No. 7 who operates as a turnover specialist, who would merit selection in any ITM Cup side. So, Mr X (whoever you might be) here is your solution to those two problems...
1. Send your talent scouts to New Zealand or Australia next year and find two No. 7's playing in the ITM Cup or NZ Senior Club competitions in the provinces or the Shute Shield or NRC in Australia. Good fetchers are a dime a dozen in this part of the world. (while you're at it see if you can find a 9 who knows how to clear the ball quickly, and a 10 who is willing to take the ball to the line and not sit back in the pocket for 80 minutes... we have a few of those too).
SCW seems to have spent a fair amount of time ******* in the RFU's pocket - and has done little in rugby since 2003 - so don't see him being up for the coaching job.
We've got 7s and 10s, though!
Kvesic and Fraser have started the season exceptionally well, and are 7s exactly as you described and young enough to have two RWCs in them.
Could just be a case of you not seeing Gloucester/Saracens play.
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I really wish there was someone who looked promoting in the English system. "What do you know about England's player pool" should be an extremely important interview question.
I must confess that my comments were made somewhat TiC, but I am sure you knew that, however
...so where where were they at the RWC.
Why on earth did Lancaster insist on playing Robshaw at 7. The guy couldn't turn over a fried egg!!
I saw Sarries v Saints last weekend. Hard to judge on such an attritional game. Also, isn't Sarries No. 7 a Namibian international, so not eligible for England?
I also saw Gloucester get hammered by Wasps (highlights only) so a bit hard to judge there too
Then the only person who will be hired is an English coach then.
Interesting question is if England appoint a "foreign mercenary" as coach, what will be the position of those other "mercenaries" - English players playing abroad?!