Nine Years ago England were crowned Rugby World Champions in Australia. The coach received a Knighthood and the players also received awards from her majesty the Queen, so long had it been since England had conquered the World in a team sport.
Yet the English Rugby Union is looking for a new coach, the current incumbent, Scotsman Stuart Lancaster is only an interim coach, as the powers that be did not want to rush their decision after Martin Johnson’s resignation, and the leaked inquiry into their poor form on and off the pitch at the World Cup in New Zealand.
Lancaster oversaw a magnificent win for England in Paris at the weekend; it was the first time they had won three away fixtures in the same championship season, and lifted them to fourth in the world.
Despite the Scot having righted the ship it appears very few are interested in taking on the role full time. Jake White withdrew and opted to stay at the Brumbies, Graham Henry chose an assistant’s role with Argentina over England. Word has it there were only two serious candidates who applied, Stuart Lancaster, and former Springbok and Italy coach Nick Mallett.
According to insiders Mallett is still the favourite for the job, but why does no one want the job? Is it the expectation again built up by the media? Or is it a lack of talent coming through? Surely it can no longer be answering the board of English Rugby? Whatever the reason it is a sad state of affairs.
