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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 Glyndŵr (@IgtIan) June 13, 2019
https://twitter.com/1MattWilkinson/status/1139128886996996101?s=20
https://twitter.com/StevePhillipsXV/status/1138950674136412165?s=20
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
RugbyPass writers are useless! you guys should get a real job because you all suck at writing about rugby!!!
8 Go to commentslooking forward to RWC2027 …. Boks on mission impossible for the Three-in-a-row, ABs to prove they being on par, France wishing to crown the “DuPont-era”, Ireland knocking on the Semi-Door ….. until then we’ll probably have to deal with Weird Ben’s fantasy-RWC23 (fun fact is, the drivel always creates a flooding of comments) …..
221 Go to commentsBen Smith you really make some good points in this article, the Springboks were not close to perfect and good still beat the All Blacks, imagine if they were as good as they were against France what a hiding the All Blacks would have gotten… maybe another Twickenham drubbing
221 Go to commentsIt is a good argument to keep the Rebels for one more year but also isnt this just opening the door as well for keeping them beyond 2025. If they can create some sort of financial stability in the next year and if their performances lift as they have this season then how would RA even cull them after that? It might be the most cost effective decision at this stage and perhaps many people are guilty of keeping relationships going because of the cost to decouple but then again when does that ever work out well?
19 Go to commentsDear Ben Smith you are a genius! God please become the next all blacks coach that can take on the mighty BOKS. Your rugby acumen is second to none - imagine your dads sperm bounced as unfortunately as that oval ball did….we would not be blessed with your presence. Just as the all blacks were missing a man you too are missing a chromosome for 80% of your life, so your insights are not only profound but ring true from your own experiences. Just as the TMO interfered with citing an illegal pass I am sure your local authorities interfere with your illegal passes you make on women - How dare they!!! God forbid that rugby be officiated fairly. You are the right man for the job. Next all blacks coach is here ladies and gentlemen Miss Ben Smith (He/She/They/IT)
221 Go to commentsHuge engine this guy and great to see him back ..The amount of clean outs he does at the ruck are ridiculous !!
3 Go to commentsThe level of desperation in this article is just embarrassing.
221 Go to commentsSome silly trolling in the comments.
9 Go to commentsEverywhere you turn some irish journo is advocating Ireland as the greatest, reasoning that the wc is a 4 year cycle event so, they say wc doesn’t matter it’s the rugby in between that should account for the accolade. If there was no wc then some substance could be gained, however in my opinion the moment that defined Ireland’s fate against the abs was 37 phases of repeated head bashing against a brick wall. If a change in strategy or a tinker with the game plan was executed then things could've been vastly different. And to point a finger the let down was in the hands of the number 10.
62 Go to commentsI have heard it asked if RA is essentially one of the part owners and I suppose therefor should be on the other side of these two parties. If they purchased the rebels and guaranteed them, and are responsible enough they incur Rebels penalties, where is this line drawn? Seems rough to have to pay a penalty for something were your involvement sees you on the side of the conned party, the creditors. If the Rebels directors themselves have given the club their money, 6mil worth right, why aren’t they also listed as sitting with RA and the Tax office? And the legal threat was either way, new Rebels or defunct, I can’t see how RA assume the threat was less likely enough to warrant comment about it in this article. Surely RA ignore that and only worry about whether they can defend it or not, which they have reported as being comfortable with. So in effect wouldn’t it be more accurate to say there is no further legal threat (or worry) in denying the deal. Unless the directors have reneged on that. > Returns of a Japanese team or even Argentinean side, the Jaguares, were said to be on the cards, as were the ideas of standing up brand new teams in Hawaii or even Los Angeles – crazy ideas that seemingly forgot the time zone issues often cited as a turn-off for viewers when the competition contained teams from South Africa. Those timezones are great for SR and are what will probably be needed to unlock its future (cant see it remaining without _atleast _help from Aus), day games here are night games on the West Coast of america, were potential viewers triple, win win. With one of the best and easiest ways to unlock that being to play games or a host a team there. Less good the further across Aus you get though. Jaguares wouldn’t be the same Jaguares, but I still would think it’s better having them than keeping the Rebels. The other options aren’t really realistic 25’ options, no. From reading this authors last article I think if the new board can get the investment they seem to be confident in, you keeping them simply for the amount of money they’ll be investing in the game. Then ditch them later if they’re not good enough without such a high budget. Use them to get Jaguares reintergration stronger, with more key players on board, and have success drive success.
19 Go to commentsYeah, and ours is waaay bigger than yours. Just as you's get a semi…oh hold on that never happens
62 Go to commentsLove watching
1 Go to commentsThe Melbourne Rebels lineout is a complete disaster so not surprisingly a kiwi coach of the Wallabies hires the worst lineout coach in the country and a foreigner to boot. No surprises whatsoever here…….
6 Go to commentsThank your for wasting 2 minutes of my life Daniel. There is a useful message in there somewhere but your delivery sucks.
8 Go to commentsBen Smith, you are cry baby
221 Go to commentsSux that homophobia is still a thing though. I wonder how many players who could have become legends never kept playing rugby because they felt unwelcome.
8 Go to commentsCrazy he’s only 28, feel like he’s been around forever - don’t mind the move, safe pair of hands and creates depth in a thin position for ABs. Hopefully aides Kemara’s growth also without thrusting too much responsibility on him
1 Go to commentsMen should show strength and be mean, but they should be able to show emotion to those close yo them in certain times, birth of your child, death of family, proud moment. This article is stupid
8 Go to commentsWhat a weak article…absolute drivel and clickbait, well done. Will stick to rugby365 thanks
8 Go to commentsHonest, discipline, humility… Priceless.
2 Go to comments