By Mitch Phillips
LONDON, March 1 (Reuters) – Stuart Lancaster’s
prospects of securing the role of permanent England coach do not
depend on results in the remaining two Six Nations championship
fixtures, the Rugby Football Union’s (RFU) new CEO Ian Ritchie
said on Thursday.
Lancaster, currently caretaker coach after the resignation
of Martin Johnson, was in charge during away wins over Scotland
and Italy in his first two games before his team lost to Wales
at Twickenham last Saturday. England visit France on March 11
and sign off the defence of their title at home to Ireland on
March 17.
He is the only candidate whose application has been
confirmed but Ritchie, who began his new role on Monday, said
there was a strong short list, which has been reported to
include former South Africa and Italy coach Nick Mallett, former
Japan coach John Kirwan and former Ireland coach Eddie
O’Sullivan.
“We are going to see Stuart while the Six Nations is
underway,” Ritchie told reporters at a Twickenham briefing.
“I appreciate it puts more pressure on him because he has
the day job to getting on with but it is helpful to be able to
do that so we can move the process on.”
Ritchie said he hoped to have the new man in place ahead of
England’s June tour of South Africa but added he would be
prepared to wait until as late as October if that was necessary
to secure the right man.
He also made it clear that the appointment would be “a
comparison” between candidates and would not be decided on
Lancaster’s Six Nations record.
He did, however, say how impressed he had been with the
former Saxons coach’s impact on the squad following the
disappointing World Cup display on and off the pitch last year.
Continued…
