Warren Gatland among candidates to succeed Eddie Jones with England

[Digby]

McCall has shown great attention to detail and followed Venter in building/maintaining a strong culture, and those are big pluses. Against which he's not English and much of the squad depth and frankly culture comes from vastly out spending opponents including bringing in new signings in a fashion which simply isn't replicated at international level

For myself I'd rate Cheika ahead of McCall, possibly Cotter too. Baxter needs to move around a little or at least develop some other styles and a presence in Europe, Deano is a maybe with his experience and building sides in a number of different environments

A good world cup especially if following a good 6N would put Townsend on the list and left field would be someone like Ibanez. Hard to see how next time around Erasmus is a candidate as any success would simply lock him down in SA.

Pivac might have been on a shortlist and I'm sure Schmidt would've been. The fat lad from NZ has worked in the UK before and would interest the rfu if they have any money left, Hansen not Gats that is

[Mellsblue]

What about Ackerman. It might take him a bit longer to fill the team with Saffers, but if we appoint him straight after Japan he’ll have them in time for 2023.

[Digby]

Maybe, random wins seems more the order of the day for now, still, hard to break that cycle at Glaws it seems

[morepork]

Is anyone keeping an eye on Ronan O'gara? He could be worth a look in some role or another in a few years.

[Mellsblue]

Is anyone keeping an eye on Ronan O'gara? He could be worth a look in some role or another in a few years.

His wife, if she’s any sense.

[Spiffy]

Is anyone keeping an eye on Ronan O'gara? He could be worth a look in some role or another in a few years.

He's keen to coach Ireland and could be just about ready after the Andy Farrell stint.

[Lizard]

Steve Hansen’s making an announcement tomorrow...

[Doorzetbornandbred]

Steve Hansen’s making an announcement tomorrow...

Hes staying on until 2021 when Joe Schmidt will take over with Scott Robertson and Tony Brown as assistant coaches...

[Lizard]

Steve Hansen’s making an announcement tomorrow...

Hes staying on until 2021 when Joe Schmidt will take over with Scott Robertson and Tony Brown as assistant coaches...

That's cromulent. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/a ... d=12176029

As long as Gilbert Enoka and Nic Gill remain part of the crew, I think we'll be ok.

[morepork]

Doors is a total mole. Right at the top of the circus.

[Scrumhead]

McCall has shown great attention to detail and followed Venter in building/maintaining a strong culture, and those are big pluses. Against which he's not English and much of the squad depth and frankly culture comes from vastly out spending opponents including bringing in new signings in a fashion which simply isn't replicated at international level

For myself I'd rate Cheika ahead of McCall, possibly Cotter too. Baxter needs to move around a little or at least develop some other styles and a presence in Europe, Deano is a maybe with his experience and building sides in a number of different environments

A good world cup especially if following a good 6N would put Townsend on the list and left field would be someone like Ibanez. Hard to see how next time around Erasmus is a candidate as any success would simply lock him down in SA.

Pivac might have been on a shortlist and I'm sure Schmidt would've been. The fat lad from NZ has worked in the UK before and would interest the rfu if they have any money left, Hansen not Gats that is

I’m struggling to gauge which parts of this post are serious ... I’m glad you made a point of saying ‘for myself’ when you said Cheika is ‘ahead’ of McCall or Cotter. While he has plenty of test experience, his record is poor and he doesn’t strike me as the kind of guy who would inspire English players.

McCall may not be English but neither are most of the other names in the frame and he has the advantage of having spent a significant amount of time in English rugby.

[Digby]

I think Cheika a good coach, albeit there have been some mistakes. And if test experience is desired he shoots right up the list of possibilities for my money

[Scrumhead]

I would not want us to go anywhere near Cheika!

[morepork]

I dunno. A taller, hairier version of the current ewok seems a pretty seamless transition.

[Doorzetbornandbred]

Breaking News! Hansen gone after RWC2019...

[morepork]

Moley moley mole mole.

Looks like a few ABs are doing the big Fuck Offsky after the cup too.

[Lizard]

Moley moley mole mole.

Looks like a few ABs are doing the big Fuck Offsky after the cup too.

Reado and Bender are confirmed. I think there will be sabbatical deals for others e.g. Whitelock. (This probably deserves it's own fred on the SHMB)

[Tigersman]

Whitelock will be off full time, he won't be on a sabbatical IMO.

Toulon will sign him on a 3 year deal or something to go with NMS and Etzebeth.

[Lizard]

Whitelock will be off full time, he won't be on a sabbatical IMO.

Toulon will sign him on a 3 year deal or something to go with NMS and Etzebeth.

It wouldn't surprise me. He's got 100+ caps, captained his country, and will have played three World Cups and a Lions series. On the other hand, he will only be 31 and is in the box-seat to the next full-time captain.

[Eugene Wrayburn]

Cockers seems to me to be very obviously the best candidate. He's a good coach who is well travelled and has been a success wherever he has been.

[Which Tyler]

No-one's going to fall for that

[Digby]

It's not that far back Cockers and Mallinder would each have attracted significant public backing, and in many ways Eddie has done something very similar to what I at least envisage Mallinder would've done, so how much do you gain from taking the much more expensive non English option?

[Puja]

Lancaster is the most interesting move I've seen mooted. Presumably this time they would actually give him the director of rugby type person he wanted last time.

Not sure which side should run screaming from that faster - England or Burt. He's clearly an excellent coach, but I'm not sure suits a head coach role and certainly not one with as much pressure as England brings.

Puja

[Stom]

Cockers seems to me to be very obviously the best candidate. He's a good coach who is well travelled and has been a success wherever he has been.

He might not be a bad shout.

[Puja]

Cockers seems to me to be very obviously the best candidate. He's a good coach who is well travelled and has been a success wherever he has been.

He might not be a bad shout.

He'd need to be given the correct support and backroom team. I've lived through too many Leicester seasons where our only backs move was "Give it to a Tuilagi and hope he does something impressive."

Puja