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A clear favourite has emerged to replace Jim Mallinder - reports

By Ian Cameron
Richard Cockerill (L) and Mike Ford (R) at Toulon

It’s been reported that former Bath and Toulon head coach Mike Ford is the early favourite to take over from Jim Mallinder as Director of Rugby at Northampton Saints.

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The BBC report today that Ford who left Bath under a cloud last season could be willing to take the role on a short-term basis.

Ford is currently Director of Rugby at the Dallas Griffins and is helping them prepare for their entry into Major League Rugby, a new US-based professional league.

https://twitter.com/Mike7Ford/status/935086841795088384

Ford’s storied career has seen him take up various coaching roles at Bath, Saracens, Ireland, England and Toulon. The former Rugby League man has been tipped for the job and would be a solid stop-gap measure for a club who have found themselves without a Director of Rugby in the middle of their season.

Northampton Saints confirmed yesterday that Mallinder will be leaving his position at the club with immediate effect.

Alan Dickens, the club’s attack coach, will take over in the short-term position of interim head coach until a replacement is found for Mallinder.

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Jon 27 minutes ago
The case for keeping the Melbourne Rebels in Super Rugby Pacific

I 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.

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