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Ex-Springboks assistant Frans Ludeke a shock contender to land URC job
By Neil Fissler
Kubota Spears boss Frans Ludeke has emerged as a shock contender to take over the reins at the financially troubled United Rugby Championship outfit Ulster next season.
South African Ludeke, who celebrates his 56th birthday today [April 24], led Kubota Spears, where he has been coaching since 2016, to their first Japan Rugby League One crown last season.
The former Springboks assistant coach gained nine years of Super Rugby experience with the Bulls and Cats before coaching Fiji’s forwards and running their lineout game at the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
He was a leading candidate to take over the Japanese national team when Jamie Joseph departed after the Cherry Blossoms exited from the pool stages of the World Cup last year following defeats to England and Argentina.
Ludeke eventually missed out on the appointment to former England boss Eddie Jones, who was given the job for the second time after he walked out on Australia just 10 months into a five-year contract.
Kubota Spears have struggled this season after missing Bernard Foley for much of the campaign. They are seventh in the table, 32 points behind runaway leaders Saitama Wild Knights.
Ulster put Richie Murphy in charge at Kingspan Stadium when they sacked Dan McFarland in February as they looked to the Ireland U20s coach to get the best out of their young players.
Murphy has got a one-year contract on the table to stay in Belfast next season, but it has not been signed yet as he looks for a longer-term deal, which has led Ulster bosses to speak to Ludeke.
Ludeke, who led the Bulls to Super Rugby titles, would have to accept strict financial restraints, with Ulster making cutbacks to their planting squad after a couple of poor years of financial results.
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“I am not sure what your question is”
My question is why you are suggesting Borthwick’s development of depth might have been accidental.
“I am not sure if the success… that Borthwick has had since the world cup is down to a plan or stumbled into due to injuries and player power”
How would injuries or player power explain Slade getting dropped, orTom Roebuck and Ben Curry starting against Wales?
“the rumours of revolt last six nations and this one dont help”
You mean the rumours started by Andy Goode, which no one with genuine insight into the England camp has corrobarated, and which most rugby insiders view as complete nonsense?
“I also think he could now pick two nearly different starting XVs and they would be as competitive as each other”
And yet you think he’s come upon that situation entirely by accident? Is he Forrest Gump?
Go to commentsI think you should not be too concern for White health. He will be on the bench for Toulon Perpignan saturday. If he got an injury, it's probably to his self-esteem…
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