What can be done to save English Rugby?

[AJUK]

Apparently Austin Healey (aka mighty mouth) has called for the sacking of Robinson along with Larder and Lydon at the same time. He also commented that some of the players consider the coaching they recieve at club level to be better than they recieve at England. However, in an interview this morning Fran Cotton says the RFU is giving the coach their full support but he did acknowledge that since the world cup, despite the rebuilding excercise, the performances have been unacceptable. He added that it was an embarassment given England has the largest player base in the world.

It all looks bleak but I do agree that a shake up iof the coaching staff is needed, perhaps get rid of the League people they have brought in and go back to basics. So, what do you think needs to be done?

(Taffies, Sweaties and Bogtrotters are welcome to comment but no gloating please. )

 

[AJUK]

I don't think you can underestimate the importance Martin Johnson had as captain during Woodward's time as coach. He was quite clearly the best captain in rugby at the time and has been sorely missed.

Robinson needs to go and a more creative style of play brought in. Tindall and Noon aren't working as a centre partnership, there needs to be more creativity. Call me biased (check my location), but sinbad might be worth a try in the centre as he's much more inventive. I don't really rate Harry Ellis at scrum-half either and I think Dawson sould continue to start now. His leadership would be handy as well as i don't think Corry is terribly effective in terms of motivation as a skipper.

I agree players such as James Simpson-Daniel and Andy Hazel have been around the fringes for a while, they perhaps need to be given a better chance. I also agree that the Noon/Tindall partnership isn't working.

I know my rugby but I just can't see a way forward at the moment, everything just fell apart all of a sudden. I can only suspect that it is the fault of the game plan or style of rugby they are told to play. During Sunday's game I felt that some players wanted to 'break out' and display their obvious talents but the way they are told to play seems to have stiffled that. Tindall is a good example of that, everytime he got the ball he ran the same line, not a side step or dummy in sight.

I was pleased to see Gomersall warming up and I would let him have another bash to put a rocket up Ellis's and Dawson's backside.

On the forward fron, there is nothing essentially wrong but I do think we need some new line out calls, both France and Scotland new what was happening in every one of our line outs.

Lydon and Larder have got to go but I'm not sure if we should get rid of Robinson as well. The problem is who would replace him, Rob Andrew, Nigel Melville or someone else. I can't think of anyone good enough.

 

[AJUK]

So many times this championship, there's been men out wide and theyve just gone inside and tried to crash through. id love to see a winger actually get the ball on the wing, but i dont think its happen so far since the wales match...

Indeed, let Sinbad have a run at them and then we may see them actually create something let alone get over the gain line.

 

[AJUK]

Last game I watched where the Glorious Gloucester were discracefully robbed of a victory over the We don't allow that word in the SA, Big Kev (Bath ) he was not palying but before that the last time he played was against Listeria (Leicester) and was in at No8 but he does sometimes switch around. I agree Jango should get a run out with the full squad.

Others who should be brought in or back into the squad:

Adam Balding (Balders) - Gloucester
Alex King - Wasps
Andy Gomarsall (Gomers) - Worcester
Chris Fortey (Fouro) - Worcester
Pat Sanderson - Worcester

Any others?

 

[AJUK]

I think there is a very league emphasis on a lot of the backroom coaching, and that tends to result in the boring (sorry league fans) style of rugby that we are seeing from england, also a complete lack of adaptability when things go differnent to plan.

They brought Lydon in to help with the defensive coaching, well, that worked dodn't it.

They should keep heathen rugby as far away as possible from real rugby, I don't feel the use of League coaches or players has brought much to Union. Don't even get me started on the Farrell issue.

 

[AJUK]

Not sure about that team. I don't think Lewsey ahs played that badly, the big mix up on Sunday was Noon going for the high ball that was clearly lewseys, the fumble led to the French openining try. I am glad to see Voyce back in though.

As I said earlier, I don't know what is needed but a win is the only acceptable outcome on Saturday.

As for Hodgson, I don't belive he is injured, he has bottled it. I know he went off on Sunday but the game did seem to improve a little when fat boy, sorry Goode ( ) replaced him.

 

[AJUK]

I am going to the England A v Ireland A game on Friday night at Kingsholm. I will keep an eye on the team to see who perhaps needs to make the step up.

I agree with Richards and how could I have forgotten about Sackey, boy that lad is fast.

 

[AJUK]

I am very much looking forward to a few pints o' Guiness and a good game of rugger on Friday night at my beloved Kingsholm. I hope the A team go into that game with something to prove.

*stokes ticket lovingly*

 

[AJUK]

Mate, what you burning them for

Hehehehe. Typo of the day.

 

[AJUK]

Mate, what you burning them for

I wish I had, they were absolutely appalling, I fear that the problems in English Rugby go a little deeper than just poor form.

If last nights A performance is anything to go by Ireland are going to tear us to shreds.