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England are on the hunt for a new under-20s coach
By Online Editors
England men’s under-20s head coach Steve Bates is to leave the RFU. After joining in 2017 the former Wasps scrum-half, who was capped for England, has decided to explore other exciting rugby related opportunities. A replacement will be announced in due course.
Bates has spent two years within the men’s pathway with responsibility for coaching and managing the under-20s’ programme, assisting in the development of many future full international players, some of which are in contention to represent England in the upcoming World Cup in Japan.
Speaking about his departure Bates said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed working alongside the pathway team and the RFU academies over the last two years and have been lucky enough to coach the under-20s in three World Rugby Under-20 Championships, reaching the final in two.
“I wish the RFU, and particularly the pathway, all the best for the future and look forward to supporting England to victory in the World Cup in October.
“I would like to thank Nigel (Melville, the RFU professional rugby director) and the team for the opportunity to experience the great depth of talent that England has at both under-20s and under-18s and am sure the pathway will go from strength to strength in the future.”
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Melville added: “I’d like to thank Steve for all his hard work within the England men’s pathway over the past two years. He has had an important role identifying and developing the next generation of England players – not only the under-20s, in his role as head coach, but also by supporting the under-18s programme.
“As well as nurturing players as they develop towards a senior career, he has also facilitated important opportunities for those starting out their coaching career to grow and make their own mark.
“The work he has done with the coach development programme has been invaluable and created a pipeline of very capable young coaches. We wish Steve all the best in his future career.”
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I guess the other option would be to start ALB, he's looked good in the 12 so far when he starts and sets up those outside him. But that would mean putting the vice captain on the bench, which is unlikely. Another option would be to drop Reiko to the bench and play Proctor, though he's gone home so that's not going to happen either.
Both of those players just offer more of the soft distribution skills good centres learn from playing their careers there. Unfortunately that's what's lacking with the current combo.
Go to commentsWhatever let's see if this load of waffle is still valid in 2 years time. ABs will rise we have a lot of new talent coming through. The NPC was the highest standard for years. The game is changing to suit the fast pace we like to play. We get to play the Springboks more, including the franchises, which will make us better! Overall I am optimistic. I will add having watched the England game multiple times we made most of the play. England are an awesome physical team, but you can expect the All Blacks to get better and better at executing the chances. It could easily have been 5 tries to one instead of 3 to 1.
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