Life after Eddie …

[Crash Hamster]

How can he be doing such a crap job yet get paid off?

Very easily, I'm afraid. Unless there's a specific clause, employment law is tilted heavily in favour of the employee.

(I once had to pay off a [healthcare professional] in my employ. She was incompetent and a danger to patients and I could prove it, but the wrangling dragged on for so long (while she was suspended on full pay) that it was cheaper to agree a no-fault settlement and part with a large chunk of cash.

I imagine it would be even harder to do for someone where performance is judged against an opponent rather than a defined standard. In every 1 v 1 sporting contest, fewer than half the competitors can win, so judging wholly on a win percentage is harsh on the employee.

I can see no reason why they couldn't continue to pay his salary, but put him on gardening leave until the end of his contract (though IANAL.) At least this would make sure that Wales didn't get him for the next few months (and I have no doubt that Jones would revitalise them spectacularly in the short term.)

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

The more this goes on, the more I'm convinced we will get a statement along the lines of "We have had a discussion with Eddie and he agrees that recent performances have not been what we would want. However, he has described the direction he is taking England in and we feel that he has a plan for the world cup. We appreciate the fans patience and have confidence he will be able to deliver when the time comes."

Bearing in mind this is pretty much what happened last time and England only got worse after.

 

[Not Mike Brown's Sock]

Rumours that O'Gara is signing an extension with La Rochelle until 2027 - that leaves Borthwick, Robertson (or Gatland/Cockerill...)

 

[TRF_Olyy]

ROG staying where he is then pushing to be Farrell's successor makes more sense than going to England tbf

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

ROG staying where he is then pushing to be Farrell's successor makes more sense than going to England tbf

Lost opportunity to play swapsies with Ireland in 5 years time.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Rumours that O'Gara is signing an extension with La Rochelle until 2027 - that leaves Borthwick, Robertson (or Gatland/Cockerill...)

Potentially a case of La Rochelle looking to get a pay day also though (potentially)


My take on Borthwick after what 2 and a half years

Great coach but a Eddie Jones lite who has yet to find his own voice/identity imo

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

The more this goes on, the more I'm convinced we will get a statement along the lines of "We have had a discussion with Eddie and he agrees that recent performances have not been what we would want. However, he has described the direction he is taking England in and we feel that he has a plan for the world cup. We appreciate the fans patience and have confidence he will be able to deliver when the time comes."

Bearing in mind this is pretty much what happened last time and England only got worse after.

Probably, but I'm less certain. This feels a bit different with some genuine momentum behind it. It also sounds like stuff has been starting to seep out of current / past dressing rooms which can be dangerous.

Anyone in or around a failing team whether the workplace is an office or a pitch can smell the decline and it's seriously demotivating as well as often irreversible without change. Your respect or otherwise for the boss makes a huge difference on how you personally perform.

Everyone has a shelf life in any job. Today's bright young thing invariably becomes tomorrow's Mr Entrenched or Mr Shark-Jumper. I simply think Jones is well past his best before date with us…..as his track record always said would be the case.

One stellar performance by Japan had a big part in landing Jones the job. One stellar performance v the ABs sealed his contract extension. There's been the odd decent performance since, but nothing approaching those levels.

The RFU have got themselves into a difficult position. Will they be brave enough to act?

 

[Welsh Exile]

If I was the RFU and looking to appease the fans but also save a bit of money I would keep Eddie on but announce Robertson will take over after the WC now. You could plug the "assisting with the transition" narrative

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

Probably, but I'm less certain. This feels a bit different with some genuine momentum behind it. It also sounds like stuff has been starting to seep out of current / past dressing rooms which can be dangerous.

Anyone in or around a failing team whether the workplace is an office or a pitch can smell the decline and it's seriously demotivating as well as often irreversible without change. Your respect or otherwise for the boss makes a huge difference on how you personally perform.

Everyone has a shelf life in any job. Today's bright young thing invariably becomes tomorrow's Mr Entrenched or Mr Shark-Jumper. I simply think Jones is well past his best before date with us…..as his track record always said would be the case.

One stellar performance by Japan had a big part in landing Jones the job. One stellar performance v the ABs sealed his contract extension. There's been the odd decent performance since, but nothing approaching those levels.

The RFU have got themselves into a difficult position. Will they be brave enough to act?

Immediately made me think of Yes minister and making a courageous decision

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Immediately made me think of Yes minister and making a courageous decision

Don't make 'em like that any more.

And actually I'd rather have Jim Hacker running the country than the current lot.

 

[ncurd]

Don't make 'em like that any more.

And actually I'd rather have Jim Hacker running the country than the current lot.

They did well more recently, The Thick of It was Yes Minsiter for the Blair/Brown/Cameron eras and is just as superb.

 

[Which Tyler]

They did well more recently, The Thick of It was Yes Minsiter for the Blair/Brown/Cameron eras and is just as superb.

Any more recent than Cameron, and it got so ridiculous as to defy parody - as I think Ianucci said himself.

 

[Scotty]

If I was the RFU and looking to appease the fans but also save a bit of money I would keep Eddie on but announce Robertson will take over after the WC now. You could plug the "assisting with the transition" narrative

I also thought about this, is he even available?
If it were an option? Could be given a coach is leaving, have a restructure in the coaching set up.

 

[Welsh Exile]

I also thought about this, is he even available?
If it were an option? Could be given a coach is leaving, have a restructure in the coaching set up.

I don't know what Robertsons contract situation is but if it ran beyond the WC next year then you buy him out of it runs out next year then perfect. Either way you can announce it and say he's going to stay with the Crusaders until after the WC but will be talking with Eddie and the coaching set up over the next few months re transition. I can't imagine many England rugby fans being underwhelmed with Robertson as a coach and the ones who want Eddie gone now might feel a bit better that at least something has been sorted.

I don't know who else England get to be honest. I don't know how much they want the next guy to be English but I don't see them giving it to Borthwick. They might view Robertson in the same way as NZ in that he's no got any international experience but his record is so good I don't see them passing on him. Hope they do

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Name no one is touting but for me Jamie Joseph should be on the shortlist

 

[General Melchett]

Name no one is touting but for me Jamie Joseph should be on the shortlist

Good shout. I also wondered about Joe Schmidt although not sure if he'd be willing to leave NZ as he returned there due to his kid's medical issues. Not sure the brand of rugby would be appealing to many England fans but the man knows how to win trophies.

 

[pagliaccio_euforico]

Robertson's contract runs through 2024. No way Wales can buy out Pivac and Robertson. England could probably do it.

 

[ncurd]

Any more recent than Cameron, and it got so ridiculous as to defy parody - as I think Ianucci said himself.

That he did and has oft repeated. He did Veep afterwards before Trump which I still need to watch.

 

[Welsh Exile]

Robertson's contract runs through 2024. No way Wales can buy out Pivac and Robertson. England could probably do it.

Especially when you consider you have to pay out Stephen Jones etc and also buy out all the staff Robertson wants to bring with him. Robertson can't be on that much, though. What do you think? £200k per year sounds about right but that could be way off.

 

[Becca]

I think Eddie should pay back his exorbitant fee. He's certainly done nothing to earn it.