Mallinder gone

[Raggs]

Immediate effect. Wonder if West is on his way too.

[Mellsblue]

Beat me to it, you git.

[TheNomad]

F*ck, delete my thread as well

[Mellsblue]

About 19 months too late. I wonder who his replacement will be.

[Mellsblue]

Wonder if West is on his way too.

You would assume so given this:

“Alan Dickens will oversee rugby and coaching matters on temporary basis as interim head coach.”

[fivepointer]

Something had to give. The side has been so poor for so long that his position wasnt at all sustainable. Seeing the large number of empty seats on Saturday at FG was perhaps the final straw. When the fans - who have been incredibly loyal - stay away you know your time is running out.

[TheNomad]

There are some good players in that team, it's a good job to get. They've been bang average for a long time though, this is ridiculously over due

[Which Tyler]

And to think, his name used to be thrown around for the England job...
(Rightly so of course, but still)

[Adam_P]

If West doesn't follow then it is a travesty. From many accounts, including some very experienced ex-saints players, it was West who was the real problem. I'm glad Dickens has been given the reigns short term, I think he is a really good coach. Demonstrated clearly in the change from when he was defence coach and we scored no tries but conceded very few, to now being attack coach and we immediately started scoring tries but the defence also started leaking them.

[Tigersman]

Lancaster?

[Scrumhead]

If West doesn't follow then it is a travesty. From many accounts, including some very experienced ex-saints players, it was West who was the real problem. I'm glad Dickens has been given the reigns short term, I think he is a really good coach. Demonstrated clearly in the change from when he was defence coach and we scored no tries but conceded very few, to now being attack coach and we immediately started scoring tries but the defence also started leaking them.

Yeah. Anti Dorian West sentiment has been a consistent theme.

I would imagine any new coach would want to bring in their own team anyway.

What about Stuart Lancaster as an outside bet?

[Which Tyler]

Lancaster?

Would be well advised to stay put for a couple of years yet. His reputation is on the up, and he's outside the goldfish bowl for the English rugby media.

Mike Ford on the other hand may be an option if the latest attempt at US rugby follows every previous one

[Scrumhead]

I imagine there will be a lot of interested parties. It’s a cracking job for someone with a decent squad and money to spend. Even after signing Brussow and Biggar, the Picamoles deal probably left them room to spare and North is leaving too.

A fresh approach could really benefit them.

[Banquo]

And to think, his name used to be thrown around for the England job...
(Rightly so of course, but still)

Aye, its a shame, I had high hopes for him when Saints were in their pomp; the style they played was decried then, oddly- the rugby wasn't sophisticated, but generally they tried to play at pace. It however relied on pack physical dominance and lots of carriers, with one or two special backs (George Pisi, Foden and Ashton were a very handy combo for a season or two) and they just didn't replace them as they left over time. I thought the style would have translated well for England at international level....but he outstayed his welcome, and failed to develop or adapt.

I hope they don't get Ford in.

[Adam_P]

I wouldn't be happy at either Ford or Lancaster coming in.

[twitchy]

Interesting times.

[Banquo]

I wouldn't be happy at either Ford or Lancaster coming in.

I wonder if any of the England youth group coaches are interested....

[twitchy]

Any rumours being circulated Adam? They must have some one lined up I'm guessing.

[Adam_P]

Any rumours being circulated Adam? They must have some one lined up I'm guessing.

Nothing yet apart from pure conjecture.

I wonder if Harry will see out his contract to 2020 now?

[fivepointer]

Cant imagine Saints will struggle to find interested candidates. Its a big club, well supported with a squad easily good enough to be pushing top 4 in the Premiership.

[Tigersman]

Need to promote West to head coach IMO.

DO IT NOW PLEASE SAINTS.

[Mellsblue]

Lancaster?

Tom Wood likes this post

[switchskier]

Anyone fancy engaging in some idle speculations? I'm going to go for Alex King who must be looking to step up around about now and has previous at Northampton.

[Tigersman]

Can't see King returning after the way he was treated.

[Mellsblue]

I’d put money on someone from the Southern Hemisphere. Probably a Saffa or Kiwi, but maybe Deans.
Lancaster seems a good shout. Possibly Hunter from Exe. If they look to the Champ, possibly Rayer from Bedford (I bloody hope not) or the chap at Doncaster.