Who will replace Lancaster as England coach?

Sport360 staff 23:21 11/11/2015
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  • Who do you want to see as the new England coach?

    England World Cup winner Will Greenwood believes the Rugby Football Union will appoint a "super coach" to replace Stuart Lancaster after the former boss stepped down as the side's head coach on Wednesday. 

    With the hunt for a new coach now under way, Sport360 takes a look at six men who are in the running for the job.

    – ENG: Stuart Lancaster steps down as England coach 

    – RL: Burgess set for a return to rugby league's Rabbitohs
    – RU: RFU became a laughing stock over Burgess handling
    – RWC: Hansen and McCaw reveal future plans

    JAKE WHITE

    Jake White.

    The hugely experienced World Cup-winning former Springbok coach has by far the most impressive CV of any of the potential candidates. Was a fierce critic of Lancaster while working as a pundit during the on OSN Sport, appearing to offer simple and common sense solutions. Has expressed an interest in the role but his personality could put the RFU off. White is by no means a yes man and would certainly not appreciate the influence the English board has in the national team.

    JIM MALLINDER

    Jim Mallinder.

    Mallinder, 49, has worked within the England set-up with the Under-21s and Saxons and proved himself at club level with both Sale Sharks and Northampton Saints, taking the latter to a European Cup final as well as winning domestic silverware. Would undoubtedly be interested and after eight years with the Saints may feel now is the time for bigger things. However, lacks the international experience of others and in the wake of Lancaster, the RFU may seek someone more high-profile.

    EDDIE JONES

    Eddie Jones.

    His stock has risen immeasurably after guiding Japan to three wins at the World Cup. An offensive coach with a desire to play exciting, running rugby he has also dealt with pressure in a top job having led Australia. Unfortunately for England, he’s already agreed to coach the Stormers in Super Rugby next year which the RFU will have to wait or pay a significant amount of money to get him out of it. There’s also the issue he never really sticks around having had 13 jobs in 21 years.

    ROBBIE DEANS

    Robbie Deans.

    With pressure on the RFU to appoint a proven coach of considerable stature, Deans could fit the bill. The New Zealander hasn’t been involved in test rugby since 2013 when he was sacked as Australia coach and has been working in Japan. His man managment style is similar to that of Lancaster’s which, with such a young team, could even work in his favour or totally count against him. There’s also the nagging fear that he hugley under-achieved with a good Wallabies outfit.

    JOHN KIRWAN

    John Kirwan.

    Is a free agent having left the Auckland Blues and is a nice mix of being an forward-thinking, attack-minded, high-profile southern hemisphere coach who has worked at international level – to varying degrees of success – with Italy and Japan. On paper, he certainly has the pedigree and is a keen observer of English rugby. Having spent so long in Europe in the last decade before returning to New Zealand, it may be a case though of the job coming at the wrong time for him.

    EWEN McKENZIE

    Ewen McKenzie.

    Michael Cheika’s success with the Wallabies has also, unwittingly, made McKenzie’s time at the helm look even worse. The former Queensland Reds coach fell out with the likes of Kurtley Beale and James O’Connor and all the optimism that surrounded his appointment soon faded away. However, not so long ago he was one of the most highly sought-after coaches in the world. A no-nonsense disciplinarian with a strong focus on defence, he is almost the antithesis to Lancaster.

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