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'I will probably be hanged in Wales for saying this' - Warburton's Gatland call
By Ian Cameron
Former British & Irish Lions captain Sam Warburton has tipped Warren Gatland as the perfect choice to take over the England head coach role should Eddie Jones be sacked this coming week.
Jones is facing an RFU review following a dire Autumn Nation Series showing by England in which the Aussie battler's side claimed one win, a draw and two losses.
Back in Wales, head coach Wayne Pivac faces the a similar review after an even worse November display from the men in red, which they managed just a single win against Argentina and suffered the humiliation of a home defeat to Tier 2 heavyweights Georgia.
If reports are accurate, both appear to be odds on to lose their jobs.
However, Warburton, who was coached for his entire Test career by Gatland, believes the former Wales head honcho would be better placed coaching the English to the Rugby World Cup, a minority view in Wales where many fancy the Waikato Chiefs director of rugby to save the day for the Welsh.
"The only people who will know the real story will be the ones in that camp, but if England do decide to change their head coach, I know one thing for certain: Warren Gatland would be a perfect fit," he wrote in his Times column. "I will probably be hanged in Wales for saying this, because many want him there to replace Wayne Pivac, but it just makes so much sense.
"Warren is a proven international coach. He has a fantastic relationship with Owen Farrell and many other England players from the British & Irish Lions tours. I certainly know how much he rates Owen as a player and competitor.
"And England suit Warren’s game plan down to the ground. That plan is about physical dominance, middle third of the field game management, kick chase and relentless line speed in defence, as well as ferocious breakdown competition. England have got the players to do all that in buckets."
Reports from the English press have suggested that Steve Borthwick is the front-runner to replace Jones; while Gatland and Steve Tandy have been linked to any potential vacancy in the Wales coaching ticket.
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Latest Comments
It certainly needs to be cherished. Despite Nick (and you) highlighting their usefulness for teams like Australia (and obviously those in France they find form with) I (mention it general in those articles) say that I fear the game is just not setup in Aus and NZ to appreciate nor maximise their strengths. The French game should continue to be the destination of the biggest and most gifted athletes but it might improve elsewhere too.
I just have an idea it needs a whole team focus to make work. I also have an idea what the opposite applies with players in general. I feel like French backs and halves can be very small and quick, were as here everyone is made to fit in a model physique. Louis was some 10 and 20 kg smaller that his opposition and we just do not have that time of player in our game anymore. I'm dying out for a fast wing to appear on the All Blacks radar.
But I, and my thoughts on body size in particular, could be part of the same indoctrination that goes on with player physiques by the establishment in my parts (country).
Go to commentsHis best years were 2018 and he wasn't good enough to win the World Cup in 2023! (Although he was voted as the best player in the world in 2023)
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