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Andy Goode's Rassie Erasmus to England Tweet breaks the rugby internet

By Sam Smith

19 Mar 2022

South Africa's director of rugby Rassie Erasmus checks out the conditions ahead of the Autumn International friendly rugby union match between Wales and South Africa (Photo by Geoff Caddick / AFP) (Photo by GEOFF CADDICK/AFP via Getty Images)

Former England flyhalf Andy Goode has dropped a speculative Tweet around the timing of Rassie Erasmus theoretically taking over team England, if such a move were to take place.

France secured their long-awaited Grand Slam after beating Eddie Jones’ England 25 – 13 in the Stade de France.

England enjoyed a dominant third quarter of the game, asking serious questions of France, but Les Bleus delivered a powerful blow 18 minutes from time.

Jamie Noon previews the final round of the Six Nations | RugbyPass Offload | Episode 25

And it was their captain and world player of the year Antoine Dupont who came to the party, surging clear after taking number eight Gregory Alldritt’s pass and brushing off an attempted Jamie George tackle for his team’s third try.

Jaminet converted, leaving England 25-13 adrift and France edging ever closer to a Grand Slam.

England refused to go quietly, and replacement back-row forward Alex Dombrandt was held up over the French line following impressive work by his fellow forwards.

It was a reminder to France that they could not switch off, but they entered the final minutes with a 12-point advantage.

England continued to press and ask questions in arguably their best performance of the championship.

But France had done enough, winning 25-13 to end a 12-year wait for Six Nations title and Grand Slam glory, with their double triumph arriving just 18 months before hosting the World Cup.

It will inevitably lead to questions around Jones’ future with England, after another poor final placing in the annual tournament.

Some believe that Erasmus would make a good replacement for the Australian, and the dates appear to actually make a lot of sense.

Goode tweeted: “Rassie Erasmus took over as Head Coach of South Africa on the 1st March 2018 and they won the World Cup 18 months later. Today is the 19th March and the World Cup is in 18 months, just saying’

Rassie Erasmus took over as Head Coach of South Africa on the 1st March 2018 and they won the World Cup 18 months later. Today is the 19th March and the World Cup is in 18 months, just saying…….
— Andy Goode (@AndyGoode10) March 19, 2022

Is it written in the stars?

SA Rugby don’t think so. They have said they don’t think Erasmus will leave his current role, which he is contracted to until after the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

SA Rugby president Mark Alexander told the Rapport newspaper earlier this month that there was no question of the controversial Erasmus leaving before helping the Springboks defend the title won in Japan in 2019 despite his name is being put forward to replace Jones.

“Rassie Erasmus and I have a good relationship, he will tell me something just the way it is. He has a contract with us until after the 2023 World Cup (in France). He is an honourable man and will respect that.”

additional reporting PA