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England fans label John Mitchell's contract extension a risk
England fans were given the news on Thursday that defence coach John Mitchell has signed a deal with the Rugby Football Union to keep him in his role until 2021.
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The news also came with the confirmation that Eddie Jones will also remain in his position as head coach until 2021, which had been expected.
Mitchell has clearly made an impact since teaming up with England last summer, as they were at their lowest point under Jones. He teamed up with the Australian after England had finished fifth in the 2018 Six Nations and had lost a summer series against South Africa.
The subsequent autumn internationals saw a marked difference in the England team, as did the 2019 Six Nations where England’s attritional defence came to the fore. It was only in the 38-38 draw with Scotland that England’s fragility was exposed. Nonetheless, Mitchell’s influence was certainly noticed.
However, some fans still feel that his new deal is a risk ahead of a World Cup, as England’s performance in Japan should be what determines whether he gets a new contract or not. This would leave all parties involved in an awkward situation after the World Cup should England perform in the same way they did in 2015.
England made a similar mistake in 2014, where Stuart Lancaster was given a contract lasting until 2020, which obviously never came to fruition as he left his post just over a year later. The fear here is that history could be repeating itself. This is what the fans have said:
Extending a coaches contract just before a World Cup ALWAYS goes well.
— Owain Glynd?r (@IgtIan) June 13, 2019
Until we get knocked out in the group stages and we throw that all out.
— Matthew Wilkinson (@1MattWilkinson) June 13, 2019
John Mitchell, England’s defence coach, has been handed a two-year extension to his contract by the Rugby Football Union, putting the New Zealander in a strong position to succeed Eddie Jones as national head coach.@TelegraphSport
Didn’t RFU extend Lancaster’s contract too— Stephen Phillips (@StevePhillipsXV) June 12, 2019
What is also a concern among fans is whether Mitchell is being lined up to replace Jones as head coach in 2021. While he has done a marvellous job under Jones, some are questioning whether he will be able to step up to the head coach.
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Mitchell’s record as a head coach is not particularly flattering, and with the wealth of talent that the Premiership has currently such as Mark McCall, Rob Baxter and former Northampton coach Jim Mallinder, some fans feel England could be best served looking towards these.
Does this mean that the RFU has decided to not look for an Englishman (or a certain Northern Irishman!) to replace Eddie Jones? Hope not – Jones has said he wants to bring through a home-based replacement. https://t.co/Wv1MtATv6N
— Mark Sutton (@MarkSutton3110) June 13, 2019
Pleased to see the back of Jones but Mitchell as his replacement? You serious?
— Cris Bellamy (@crisbellamy66) June 13, 2019
?And there was me thinking Jim mallinder was next in line.
— Craig (@hhammyhamilton) June 12, 2019
The emphasis during Jones’ tenure with England has been to create a succession plan for the years after his departure. This may be the first sign of that plan, but it has not pleased everyone.
WATCH: Part one of the two-part RugbyPass documentary on what fans can expect in Japan at this year’s World Cup
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Comments on RugbyPass
A wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
11 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
11 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
24 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
10 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
17 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to comments