It’s a mystery why Shaun Edwards has never coached England
Alex Lowe, Steve James, Stuart Barnes and Will Kelleher analyse the possible candidates to replace Eddie Jones
Tuesday March 22 2022, 12.01am, The Times
WARREN GATLAND
Does he have the ability to turn England around in 18 months?
Absolutely. Gatland’s experiences with the British & Irish Lions prove he is capable of forging a spirit and direction in a short space of time. He is clear in his game plan and rates a lot of the England players already, in particular Courtney Lawes, Tom Curry and Marcus Smith.
Could England get him before the World Cup?
Gatland is working as director of rugby for the Chiefs in New Zealand, so would need to be bought out of his contract. The RFU did that with Eddie Jones when they recruited him from the Stormers in 2015. Taking on the England job for 18 months into the 2023 World Cup could well be a challenge Gatland would relish.
Would he make a good long-term successor in 2023?
Gatland guided Wales to a golden era of success, winning three grand slams and reaching two World Cup semi-finals. He elevated that team to be greater than the sum of their parts. However, the club-country dynamic would be a frustration for him. A contender in 2023, yes, if he was prepared to move back to the UK.
ANDY FARRELL
Does he have the ability?
Yes he does. It has taken a little longer with Ireland, but England have the players and Farrell has demonstrated since becoming a head coach that he is more than just a chest-beating defence coach who gets players motivated. He has built on the work of Joe Schmidt and taken Ireland in a new direction.
Could England get him?
No. Farrell considered returning to the RFU in 2018 when Jones offered him the role of defence coach, which ultimately went to John Mitchell. Farrell declined because he wanted an assurance he would be the next head coach, which was not forthcoming.
A good long-term successor?
He is the favourite for the job in 2023, especially if Ireland can break their run of World Cup underachievement and make the semi-finals. Farrell has repeatedly defeated the All Blacks as a coach and did so again last autumn.
SHAUN EDWARDS
Does he have the ability?
Yes, there is no doubting the influence Edwards has had wherever he has gone, with his simple and clear messages. He may just be the jolt England’s players need right now. It is easily forgotten that it was Edwards who instigated Jamie Roberts’s move from full back/wing to inside centre for Wales. How England could do with Edwards finding someone similar to end the perennial search for a replacement for Manu Tuilagi.
Could England get him?
No. France would never dream of releasing him from the contract that takes him to the World Cup.
A good long-term successor?
It remains a mystery as to why Edwards has never coached England. He was offered the job of defence coach in 2006 but turned it down because he was dealing with the death of his brother, and he was offered a role with the Saxons two years later, but otherwise he has masterminded the defences of Wales and France — taking four grand slams in the process. He was head coach of Wasps and won the European Cup in 2007, but he is untested as a No 1 at international level. May need a director of rugby above him.
JOE SCHMIDT
Does he have the ability?
A turn to the former Ireland head coach would be a stark change to embrace structured rugby and a self-confessed “analyst geek”. Schmidt’s success with Ireland was built on an incredibly detailed and organised plan, with some moves planned for up to 20 phases. That took him time to build — a luxury he would not have with England.
Could England get him?
No. At the end of last year he took a job with the All Blacks, as their chief selector, having spent time after his Ireland gig at the Blues franchise in Auckland.
A good long-term successor?
Schmidt may have a good Six Nations record — with three titles including a grand slam in 2018 — but failed at two World Cups.
RASSIE ERASMUS
Does he have the ability?
Erasmus is the greatest proof that it can be done. He took over the Springboks from Allister Coetzee in March 2018 and won the World Cup in November 2019. It was all built on recasting the South Africans as the tough, physical team they always should be. But Erasmus — as an outspoken, sometimes controversial figure — would be an absolute nightmare for the RFU. Sacking Jones and turning to him would be out of the frying pan and into the fire.
Could England get him?
Theoretically, everyone has a price. Erasmus is now the director of rugby at SARU — above the head coach, Jacques Nienaber — but mischievously toyed with the idea, telling the Daily Mail: “I don’t think the English people would ever want me there now. I hope I am wrong.” It would be extraordinary if he were to leave.
A good long-term successor?
Possibly, but would the RFU want him? Did his transformation work with South Africa only because, as a former Springbok, he could tap into the emotions of the side and pinpoint exactly what the team needed?
SCOTT ROBERTSON
Does he have the ability?
Robertson would be the radical rewrite for England. Imagine them playing at Ireland’s pace with a smile on their faces — the template that has inspired the Crusaders to Super Rugby dominance. Players are expected to work out problems rather than wait for the coach to tell them the fix. It would suit the likes of Smith.
Could England get him?
He is not tied to a Test team and is ambitious. With the Super Rugby season finishing in June and England’s tour to Australia in July, the problem is not insurmountable.
A good long-term successor?
Robertson’s ability to keep readjusting the way the Crusaders play while winning again and again is testimony to his durability as a coach. Having just lost a Rugby Aotearoa final to the Chiefs, he may be ready to expand his horizons.
STEVE BORTHWICK
Does he have the ability?
Borthwick keeps the game simple. He would expect to have a powerful and accurate set piece, backs with the ability to break the gainline and 15 blokes committed to the breakdown.
Could England get him?
It is hard to know whether England could lure him from Leicester Tigers. The nature of his contract has been kept well hidden. He is a man with a great regard for loyalty.
A good long-term successor?
Judging by the manner in which he has rebuilt the Tigers and the gradual progress, he appears the most likely English-based coach to make a success of the national job in the long term.
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