Rugby world cup 2015

[Denn Forever]

Who'll get the Lions gig??

I'd near give it to Gatland again - he's probably the best equipped coach and wouldn't lack confidence/motivation.

But would it be Wales mark 2 this time?

[deiseach]

Phil de Glanville. Proper English rugby name, that. Family came over with William the Ba$tard Conqueror. Then again, that's only one half of English rugby. The other half have names like Fester Harmanstreetbaugh (pronounced Harbow) and their family have been bothering sheep in the West Country since Æthelred the Unready.

[oakleaflad]

Who'll get the Lions gig??

I'd near give it to Gatland again - he's probably the best equipped coach and wouldn't lack confidence/motivation.

Why not Joe? Been the most successful coach of the current international sides since the last tour?

[Walter Cronc]

Eddie Jones the new England coach! Serious appointment. Man is a rugby genius!

[AZOffaly]

Interesting. He had a fair cut at the English contractual and club system. I think he might either a) cause a major bust up with the clubs or b) get frustrated and leave.

[Walter Cronc]

Was this 'cut' since he's been appointed or some time back?

The RFU are wealthy enough to buy the top 20-30 players out of their club contracts if needs be.

Whether they do it or not is another thing.

[AZOffaly]

A couple of days ago I saw it in the paper. Here you go. Has a go at Bath for their treatment of Burgess as well.

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/nov/17/sam-burgess-eddi-jones-treatment-england-bath

[deiseach]

There was a lot of hand-wringing going on in the aftermath of England's calamitous exit about the folly of not picking foreign-based players, specifically Steffon Armitage. They seem to forget that the policy is at the heart of the compromise between the clubs and the RFU. It's designed to put players off taking the French euro, thus driving down the wage pressures in the English game. Jones can't be unaware of what is driving the policy. Whether he will be content to not agitate against it once he is in situ ("sources close to the English coach") is another matter.

[johnneycool]

There was a lot of hand-wringing going on in the aftermath of England's calamitous exit about the folly of not picking foreign-based players, specifically Steffon Armitage. They seem to forget that the policy is at the heart of the compromise between the clubs and the RFU. It's designed to put players off taking the French euro, thus driving down the wage pressures in the English game. Jones can't be unaware of what is driving the policy. Whether he will be content to not agitate against it once he is in situ ("sources close to the English coach") is another matter.

With the clubs holding the players I'd say Jones of whoever is England manager has a limited time with the players and can't be dictating to the clubs who plays where and when like Schmidt can.
I can see Jones throwing a few hissy fits if he doesn't get his way.

[deiseach]

With the clubs holding the players I'd say Jones of whoever is England manager has a limited time with the players and can't be dictating to the clubs who plays where and when like Schmidt can.
I can see Jones throwing a few hissy fits if he doesn't get his way.

I think you are right. The reason I initially thought Lancaster would survive (the revelation that he was making it up as he went along with Burgess are what did for him) is that he always maintained the impression that he was content to work with what he was given. There must have been moments when he thought 'if only I had Armitage' but, in public anyway, he just got on with it which kept the lid on the simmering tensions with the clubs. I don't think Jones will be quite so diplomatic. He's doing them the favour by taking the job.