England Post-WC discussion

[Mattybuck]

Why ask Gatland, is it not obvious!

This Rennie sounds decent...

 

[jordiev]

Ask the coach of a rival nation who has openly backed Lancaster... The RFU making sense again. That makes even more obvious if it wasn't already they are trying they're best to justify keeping Lancaster

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

RFU panel Terms of Reference as drafted by Sir Humphrey Appleby

To that end, I recommend that we set up an interdepartmental committee with fairly broad terms of reference so that at the end of the day we will be in a position to think through the various implications and arrive at a decision based on long term considerations rather than rush prematurely into precipitate and possibly ill-conceived action which might well have unforeseen repurcussions.

 

[Crapspray]

If they keep adding people to the panel at this rate they'll run out of people who support Lancaster, and may accidently allow critical thought...

EDIT: In all seriousness, what will he add? He's a decent coach, but he's hardly the best in the world. The only (incredibly narrow) field I could see him contributing on is the fitness training in Colorado, since that's always been his schtick with Wales. Not that it takes an investigation to see England were shagged for most of their games.

 

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

Rennie would probably be my first choice at the moment.

Is there any indication he's on the RFUs radar, though?
On paper he's got it...

Re. the panel review it's worth remembering that if lancaster was to any extent pressured by the RFU into including Burgess at all the squad announcements and during the world cup itself, because of the amount paid to secure his conversion, then they would have no real choice but to continue backing lancaster

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

I thought the Gatland thing was a wind up so didn't bother reading it. Now I have, why on earth would the incumbent coach of our fiercest rivals help us out? Especially one as prone to playing a few mind games as WG. Seriously?

That feels more like an initial sounding out. "So Warren with ALL our cash and ALL our players and a GREAT crop of youngsters coming through, where did we fall short? Oh, it was the coaching was it? Don't suppose you know anyone....".

 

[ratsapprentice]

Re. the panel review it's worth remembering that if lancaster was to any extent pressured by the RFU into including Burgess at all the squad announcements and during the world cup itself, because of the amount paid to secure his conversion, then they would have no real choice but to continue backing lancaster

Is there even any evidence that the RFU paid anything to secure his transfer in the first place?

 

[ncurd]

Is there even any evidence that the RFU paid anything to secure his transfer in the first place?

My understanding is it was 100% Bath's money which is why Lancaster couldn't do anything to stop him playing at Flanker for them.

 

[ratsapprentice]

I know, hence why I'm asking Henry if he knows of something else.

 

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

I know, hence why I'm asking Henry if he knows of something else.

Nope.

I think I might have been thinking of some quite outdated information such as the below (Bruce Craig claiming that the RFU had promised to pay the transfer fee)

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/ru...er-fee-and-its-they-who-are-pushing-deal.html

Even if this didn't happen, and it sounds like it didn't, I think the RFU were clearly interested in Burgess and even if they had no formal influence on Lancaster I do wonder whether there was undue pressure to get him involved asap. Dunno.

 

[Wimero]

I've not seen Sam Burgess play other than on TV for England. He looked uncomfortable,to say the least,at centre but gave it his best shot.I'm sure he's a talented footballer because I can't imagine someone as astute as Bruce Craig shelling out around £300,000 to sign him if he thought not.
Bearing in mind he's a rookie to union why would a buffoon like Burt take a bloke,new to the game,play him at centre whereas bath have in the back row,and expect him to miraculously become a test standard player.It's almost as if he wanted to take the p**** out of him.Don't blame Burgess in any way.As I said he gave it his best shot.
Playing at 6,and given time,maybe Sam has got what it takes to be come one of the best in this position.

PS.If Burt was that keen to include Burgess in the squad maybe he should have given Wood the elbow and played him at 6.Couldn't have done much worse.
PPS.Would it be unreasonable to see if he could make it at lock?Physically he's big enough 6' 6'' 18st 7lb,good ball handling skills.

 

[Lé Ddanno]

RFU panel Terms of Reference as drafted by Sir Humphrey Appleby

To that end, I recommend that we set up an interdepartmental committee with fairly broad terms of reference so that at the end of the day we will be in a position to think through the various implications and arrive at a decision based on long term considerations rather than rush prematurely into precipitate and possibly ill-conceived action which might well have unforeseen repurcussions.

Ahh like the old adage "Proper Preparation Prevents **** Poor Performance?"

What ho! The dear boys back at Twickers' Gents club got that jolly fellow Lancaster to heave the team such as it was, back up by its bootstraps to no fewer than lots of second place finishes in the bally Six Nations. Beats Ol' Woodward overall. Rum times those were. Bally 'Sir' Clive?! Not until Molly is rogering my duckmoat attendant. Nossir!

 

[Aristodemus]

So it seems the RFU have the policy of going asking people who have openly backed Lancaster for advice as to whether he should remain as coach. This is becoming more frustrating than the actual WC.

As for the Rennie comments, he has stated previously that he wants to coach abroad, kinda vague I know. If only the media were half aware of him instead of constantly talking about Schmidt and Gatland.

 

[RonnieRhino]

I think we need to stop appointing English coaches and look at other nationalities. We also should look at allowing players like Steffon Armitage play for England even though they don't play in the Aviva Premiership.

 

[Bada-Bing!]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/34662659

So it's true he might be going back to League.

 

[Aristodemus]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/34662659

So it's true he might be going back to League.

Just seen that, it would be both a shame and a waste of a year learning for him to just give up and return to league. Obviously the decision is highly personal though (for various reasons) so I can't be critical of him if he does go back to Aus.

 

[Bada-Bing!]

Just seen that, it would be both a shame and a waste of a year learning for him to just give up and return to league. Obviously the decision is highly personal though (for various reasons) so I can't be critical of him if he does go back to Aus.

Agreed. It would rub salt n the wound for Luther Burrell, missing out on an RWC spot.

Whether he stays or not clearly he's having doubts whether he's committed enough to the game to stay for the next 4 years, work and learn the game to be a world class 6.

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

That contradicts what Burgess said where he was hoping he could fight for a place in the next world cup...

 

[ncurd]

I have one word for this and rhymes with duck.

A waste of everyone's ducking time.

- - - Updated - - -

That contradicts what Burgess said where he was hoping he could fight for a place in the next world cup...

He was 'dropped' against Wasps so I wouldn't be surprised if this was true.

Honestly is he does **** off back to league it'll make me sick to my stomach, the very face he's contemplating a move back has made go quite a bit down in my estimation.

 

[McTallshort]

Was Burgess brought in to get more interest in the England team among rugby league fans during the WC? Seems the RFU played some part in bringing him to Union. I know it's cynical but I would believe most things at the minute.