Stuart Lancaster to take charge of England

Just a very brief article up on the Beeb here:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/16088770.stm

The current England Saxons coach looks like he'll be taking charge of England for the 6N's.

More to follow apparently.

Lancaster, Rowntree and Farrell.

Sounds like a folk band from the 70s.

It's not bad for a temp team...im just hoping the Mr Rowntree gets the forwards fired up and aggressive in the loose and at the breakdown....instead of the powderpuff pushovers they have been....

Ha I thought the first two sounded more like Knights from ye olden days, but then Farrell ruined that thought.


3 people with sensible heads on them though, might just be what England need in the short term. How would it affect the Saxons though?

rugbydreamer wrote:Ha I thought the first two sounded more like Knights from ye olden days, but then Farrell ruined that thought.


3 people with sensible heads on them though, might just be what England need in the short term. How would it affect the Saxons though?

Well maybe they might be prepared to give a couple of the young saxons ago that have been impressing...?

Am I imagining something or was this announced a while back (Lancaster and Rowntree at least)?

They should do a good enough job. Rowntree especially seems the man of the moment.

I honestly though it had been announced but looking back over the previous articles it was all speculation. Even this isn't a proper announcement.

Yep, i'd heard the name Rowntree bandied about a bit in the press but not so much Lancaster. I'd take this announcement more as fact though, otherwise what would be the point in it?

GF - true maybe some Saxons players might have more of a chance to step up, but I was more concerned with who would be running the Saxons while Lancaster was away, and ensuring that the good work already being done continues.

Lancaster and Rowntree were the names put out there almost immediately...so no shock there at all....

Farrell is an interesting one though...hows he be doing with Sarries..

GeordieFalcon wrote:Lancaster and Rowntree were the names put out there almost immediately...so no shock there at all....

Farrell is an interesting one though...hows he be doing with Sarries..

I was surprised with the Farrell one as well. No offense Beshocked but Saracens backs are hardly playing the most incisive rugby at the moment. But like others have said he is a sensible level headed guy and that's probably what's needed right now. Wonder if he will work as just a backs coach or in a combined backs & defense role.

If we were poaching a Sarries coach I'd have rather we nicked their defence coach (Gustard). The Sarries backs haven't been up to much this season, though Hodgson has got them playing actual rugby.

There were rumours before Ashton was sacked that he was to appoint Austin Healey as a skills/backs coach. I wonder if the RFU would have been better considering him and not borrowing an AP coach.

I like the look of these three should begood for the 6ns at least.

I hope that Rowntree can push on the with forwards and get the pack that can put England on the front foot.

When is the EPS announed, according to Nick Easter the squad comes together in January for traing in potugal... Is the same players minus those that have retired that played in NZ. Or is their to be another EPS announced?

I would hope there is a new EPS...with the likes of Hape etc...thrown out...

Good luck to them. All good men. There are some talented players in the EPS, hopefully these guys can make a good effort and give English fans a bit of hope for the future.

It will be interesting to see what happens selection wise.

Also what happens to John Wells and Mike Ford...? Have they been fired?

Maesteg, there's been an update to the BBC article. Ford and Wells have 'not been retained'...

John Wells resigned didn't he??

Brian Smith 'opted not to seek a renewal'.

Lets say the ydo well in the 6 Nations will the RFU honestly keep them on or will they still look for the Marque name to take England forward?

Carpe Diem wrote:Maesteg, there's been an update to the BBC article. Ford and Wells have 'not been retained'...

Cheers mate...!

So does this mean the coaching team has been streamlined from four to three and also have no manager appointed as before?

Johnson (manager), Wells (forward), Smith (backs) and ford (defense) all out. Rowntree (scrum) retained with Lancaster and Farrell (backs?) replacing.

Must say Farrells appointment is a surprise. He has been at Saracens as a backs or defense coach hasn't he. They are not renowned for their back line, though their defence is good. He as a union player was pretty unspectacular. Great league player though.

Could have been worse, could have been Kevin Bowring.

Glas,

Thats obviously a personal preference but I think Bowring is wasted in England.

A lot of the ideas Henry and Hansen had were suggested previously by Bowring but the WRU choose to ignore it.

They obviously couldn't ignore it from H&H after the money they threw at them when they were in charge.

Farrell has been backs coach with the Saxons under Lancaster for almost 2 years, so it's pretty understanable why the both of them have taken on the caretaker roles with the senior squad.

Regarding the Saxons, I'd imagine one of the remaining senior coaches, Hardy & Callard (both quite experienced) will take the reigns. There's only 2 matches over the 6N though, Italy A & the Wolfhounds

Lancaster looks like Mr Brittas, should fit in nicely

Gatts wrote:Lancaster looks like Mr Brittas, should fit in nicely

you know i was thinking that he looked like someone familiar! Suppose he looks a bit like phil Vickery too.

It looks like a good setup for England but i am still not sure about AF's credentials as a coach. Really havent seen to much from him to make a judgement but the rest look like a solid group. This could turn out very well for England.

I think that the more important decision was to remove Rob Andrews influence from the top side, now Lancaster may be able to pick and coach the team as he sees fit without Rob Andrews interference so that can only be good for England. My expectations of a performance from them in the 6N have gone up sharpishly.

Strikes me as an interim team, awaiting Mallett's availability next year.

Rugby Uberlord wrote:Strikes me as an interim team, awaiting Mallett's availability next year.

I might be wrong but im just not 100% comfortable with him in charge.....can anyone convince me why he should be in charge..?

Heard him on the Radio this morning. sounded as uninspiring as a general with an inferiority complex and a lisp who's been put in charge of the Second Queens Sappers.

Mallett or Lancaster?

Mallet

eirebilly Andy Farrell has won the Aviva Premiership with Saracens. More than you can say about the likes of Lancaster and even 606 v2 darlings like O'shea and Mallinder.

Didn't say I was convinced by Mallet either mate, just what I think may happen.

beshocked wrote:eirebilly Andy Farrell has won the Aviva Premiership with Saracens. More than you can say about the likes of Lancaster and even 606 v2 darlings like O'shea and Mallinder.

Not slating him at all beshocked, just know very little about him to pass judgement. I really rated him as a RL player but never really as a Union player.

Gotta be a tough situation for the players. This appointment seems more like crack filler than a new appointment. Must be hard to think well we´ve got a good coach coming in the future but in the meantime here´s this guy who´s taken a job that doesn´t have any long term future. How do you expect to build a team environment with this guy in charge? The 6N is a huge event. Seems England is being shortchanged with this Willy the Groundsman Caretaker appointment. The top coaches don't want Andrew in the mix and want full control but that hasn´t been resolved so we find ourselves in this unfortunate position.

Seems odd to me that Farrell is the backs coach of england considering he will be coaching people that have been playing the game longer than he has been in it ??

I think personality wise he will be a good guy to have around the team..a bit of northern grit and someone to look up to however is he the tactical genius our backline needs given that he never mastered the 12 position in union himself ?......

Fair enough its going to be short lived but i'd see him like a League convert to defense coach type that international teams love rather than tactical master of the union running game.

How would people describe the Saracens way of playing.... isn't it more monster pack of forwards and heavy straight running centres rather than expansive quick ball rugby ??

How would people describe the Saracens way of playing.... isn't it more monster pack of forwards and heavy straight running centres rather than expansive quick ball rugby ?? .

Generally, Sarries do have a frighteningly good counter attacking game though where they utilise a light and speedy backrow (all of which is English) to race kicks back. Sarries backline is efficient if not expansive and previously the Saxons have had a good enough attack and it seems Farrell was working with them.

Sarries back row is english? I thought it was Joubert and Burger?

Meant back three.

Strettle, Short, Goode are all English. I rather wish Burger was English he'd give the England backrow an edge.

I think this is a good call.

England must get the structures right before a permanent coach appointment. this gives them the breathing space to do so. Teh guys appointed are known quantities and know the players so should be able to get things moving quickly. It would have been wrong to appoint and outsider on a temp basis

You never know - they might even do a good enough job to get a permanent contract

Sounds more like wishful thinking to me TJ. I think far better would´ve been a change in structure to attract top coaches right from the outset instead of scaring them away.

kiakahaaotearoa

teh issue is that sorting out he structure and then appointing a coach will take too long. 6 n is not far away. this way they can take their time and get it right.

Not wishful thinking - I am a scots fan

Of course sorting the structure out was ideal - but was never going to happen. At the very least the new CEO should be appointed as they are responsible as teh Head Coach will now report to him/her.

In fact I really doubt it will get sorted out propertly - even so Nick Mallett will be appointed for the summer tour. Rather than being scared off - he stated he was unavailable for 6 months as he wanted to spend some time at home and wanted to report directly to teh CEO and not Rob Andrew. The senior team is no longer under Squeakies remit so that issue is solved.

Haha fair enough mate.

I think if there were going to be searching answers about England´s players it shouldn´t have just been about MJ and his role. He rightfully fell on his sword but someone should´ve had some foresight to see how the current set up is not attractive to any aspiring coach with a decent record.

The thing about the RFU that I find most frustrating is that they only appear to be interested in doing the bare minimum. It hasn´t been just with MJ. Ashton and AR were undermined and selections chopped and changed as the manager felt the sword dangling above their heads.

sirtidychris wrote:How would people describe the Saracens way of playing.... isn't it more monster pack of forwards and heavy straight running centres rather than expansive quick ball rugby ??

In terms of assessing what Farrell's influence will be, rather than looking at how Saracens play, it makes far more sense to look at how he and Lancaster have had the Saxons playing the last 2 years, particularly as they've already worked with a number of the newer players in the EPS, and by the sound of the interview we're likely to see more of that young talent promoted.

kiakahaaotearoa wrote:Gotta be a tough situation for the players. This appointment seems more like crack filler than a new appointment. Must be hard to think well we´ve got a good coach coming in the future but in the meantime here´s this guy who´s taken a job that doesn´t have any long term future. How do you expect to build a team environment with this guy in charge?

I don't see it being a big problem for the players, the majority will have already worked and had good success with Lancaster in the Saxons and Academy. He already knows a good amount about their playing strengths, how they train and work as combinations, so there will be less emphasis on making sure you get noticed by the new coaches and a greater ability to hit the road running, maximising what will be comparitively short preperation time.