England Rugby - what is needed for a successful future....

[DocJock]

Can't say I am surprised or upset by any of them being replaced. They had a shot at it and failed miserably.

For all the denials by their clubs it looks like EJ wants (and will get) Borthwick and Gustard.

Edited by DocJock on Sunday 13th December 11:21

[irocfan]

spikeyhead said:

Farrell, Catt and Rowntree gone.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/intern...

now that is a relief! A previous article I read had Faz nailed on to remain in post 'for continuity'

[dom9]

Hallelujah!!!!

[Smollet]

Best Christmas pressie ever.

[hornetrider]

Can't believe they've totally fked up the Borthwick appointment! What a farce.

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/dec/15/brist...

How can you just appoint somebody without consulting their current employer at this level? The mind boggles.

[Joey Ramone]

I was going to say that you'd have to form a committee, whose specific brief was to fk things up as publicly as possible, to do things this badly. But then it appears that's what the RFU actually does for a living.

As you say, the mind boggles. And trust them to get into a dick swinging context with one of the richest blokes in the country.

[DocJock]

hornetrider said:

Can't believe they've totally fked up the Borthwick appointment! What a farce.

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/dec/15/brist...

How can you just appoint somebody without consulting their current employer at this level? The mind boggles.

I've read reports in other papers that the RFU did approach Bristol but they point blank refused to discuss it.

As ever, you never get the whole story from any source, so who to believe?

[0000]

Seems a bit of a cynical move by Bristol. If he wants to go I'm not sure much good will come of making a fuss about it.

[spikeyhead]

DocJock said:

hornetrider said:

Can't believe they've totally fked up the Borthwick appointment! What a farce.

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/dec/15/brist...

How can you just appoint somebody without consulting their current employer at this level? The mind boggles.

I've read reports in other papers that the RFU did approach Bristol but they point blank refused to discuss it.

As ever, you never get the whole story from any source, so who to believe?

I'll guess that the RFU asked and were told that it just wasn't open to discussion. The sensible way forwards would have been to find a way to open the door and have a chat. Instead the RFU have announced that Borthwick now works for them.

That's dumber than anything I've seen from Faz snr, which does take some doing.

[a311]

I think it's right that the full coaching team have gone, couldn't see how they could stay after the WC. I wouldn't have been upset to see Rowntree stay, I still believe the forwards looked over trained/knackered in the WC.

I'm surprised more people aren't questioning Borthwick's credentials as a forwards coach, if it weren't for THAT game against South Africa it would seem and odd appointment. Jones surely needs a specialist scrum coach as he did with Japan to complement Borthwick's lineout expertise?

I assume the 6N squad will be announced in early January. Farrell Jr seems to be the form 10 in the AP at the moment, I expect he'll be in the 23 which would make for a funny conversation between him and Jones, Hi how are you I sacked your dad.

With Gustard coming in in addition to Borthwick (and Jones of course) I'm a little wary of an overly Saracen's influence which might mean a Saracens type game plan making Farrell rather than Ford/Cips a more likely choice of 10.

[anonymous-user]

I am trying to connect with my celtic roots as the whole thing looks a bit shonky to me.

[timlongs]

Rumours spreading that Hartley is to be named captain. Is the RFU the leakiest sporting organisation on the planet?

[Jonnny]

Dylan Hartley as captain?

http://bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/35116844

[Egg Chaser]

Jesus fking Christ.

[irocfan]

Jonnny said:

Dylan Hartley as captain?

http://bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/35116844

"...it is thought Jones wants a more confrontational character to lead the side...."

in fact have another couple....


that being said though I do tend to agree with this at the moment

[hornetrider]

ley as Captain. Oh dear.

Mind you only goes to show just how inadequate Robshaw was. And how bare the cupboard is.

[Zyp]

EJ best choose a good vice captain then, as he'll have to take over from Hartley in most matches...

[irocfan]

to be fair IIRC DH has only been carded in one International.....

[0000]

Maybe the responsibility will bring out the best in him...

[London424]

I'm not really seeing the issue with Hartley as captain. Was one of the most solid and consistent players in the team, and is currently the best 2 that is English.

Captains his current club.

Plenty of experience.

So he's a bit of a knob. Is that really a big deal? I'd rather have a few horrible bds in the team than a load of nice guys.