One more hurdle to clear before England get their man

England’s attempt to bring Sale defence coach Byron McGuigan on board for the autumn Tests has moved a step closer after the two parties reached an agreement over a job share.

However, the deal that has been struck still needs to be signed off by the other Premiership clubs.

McGuigan impressed Steve Borthwick when he was brought in for the summer tour to Argentina, and the England head coach moved to get him on board going forward.

Sale director of rugby Alex Sanderson says that while a job share has been agreed “in principle”, he is wary that it could still be scuppered.

“I want it to happen,” said Sanderson. “There’s coaches now in the Prem that are coaching other nations, so I just can’t see how this developmental role as an assistant coach could get vetoed, but that’s the nature of the PRL at times – to put road blocks in the advancement of the coach and country, which is what it would be if it didn’t happen.”

Rival Premiership clubs blocked a proposed job share arrangement between Saracens and England for head of performance Phil Morrow a year ago.

They were unhappy over what they perceived as a conflict of interest in the split role.

Instead, England had to wait until the end of the domestic season to bring Morrow on board in a full-time capacity.

McGuigan’s case, as an on-field coach, is different, but there is still hesitancy at some clubs given the insight it would give an employee of a rival club to their players.

Borthwick has already added attack coach Lee Blackett to his staff on a permanent basis after the RFU agreed a compensation fee with Bath.