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'Eddie is flogging coaches too' - Moody backs former teammate for England defence job
By Chris Jones
Lewis Moody, the World Cup winning former captain, is urging Eddie Jones to consider former Wasps flanker Joe Worsley for the England defence coach role Paul Gustard is vacating after next month ’s three test tour of South Africa.
With Alex Sanderson, the Saracens defence coach, signing a new contract yesterday and Shaun Edwards, the Wales defence coach, set to remain on the other side of the Severn Bridge where he will also work with the Dragons, head coach Jones’s choice of English candidates for the role is becoming limited.
Worsley has been defence coach at Top14 club Bordeaux Begles since 2012 and Moody, his former England team-mate, said: “I would absolutely love to see Joe Worsley doing that role for England because he was such a wonderful defensive master when he was playing for Wasps and England. People didn’t give him credit for the intellect he had in terms of understanding of the game which was second to none. He understands the philosophy, the players and the country. He has had time in France and can offer something fresh.
“He has won a World Cup and has been operating as a defence coach in a pretty harsh environment in France and it would be fascinating to see him in that role with England.
“Eddie likes to think outside the box and will be looking for different options and will want the World’s best. The question is will the World’s best want to be part of that coaching environment even if it means potential glory?
“Without doubt the departure of Gustard is a disruption, but at this stage it is not irreversible. Six months before the 2007 World Cup, Andy Robinson was replaced as head coach by Brian Ashton and that was a challenge because you were starting again. Defences are similar these days and Eddie will bring someone else in but the main effect will be the relationships within the coaching team.”
Moody, who captained England at the 2011 World Cup, believes rumours about the harsh regime Jones operates could put defence coach candidates off and Moody said: “What does this say about the coaching environment where Paul Gustard, who didn’t get to play for England and has carved a wonderful path as a coach, steps away from an England team heading to a World Cup?
“The rumours you hear about Eddie are that he works his coaches very hard along with the players and you do have to ask if that is sustainable in the build up to a World Cup. England have had some serious success using Eddie’s formula but will it continue in the long run and you wonder if fatigue will hit the coaches and players.
“The test is will Eddie change his coaching style and environment to attract the right person to fill the role because it is really difficult as a head coach to change your whole approach."
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Latest Comments
Nah, that just needs some more variation. Chip kicks, grubber stabs, all those. Will Jordan showed a pretty good reason why the rush was bad for his link up with BB.
If you have an overlap on a rush defense, they naturally cover out and out and leave a huge gap near the ruck.
It also helps if both teams play the same rules. ARs set the offside line 1m past where the last mans feet were😅
Go to commentsYeah nar, should work for sure. I was just asking why would you do it that way?
It could be achieved by outsourcing all your IP and players to New Zealand, Japan, and America, with a big Super competition between those countries raking it in with all of Australia's best talent to help them at a club level. When there is enough of a following and players coming through internally, and from other international countries (starting out like Australia/without a pro scene), for these high profile clubs to compete without a heavy australian base, then RA could use all the money they'd saved over the decades to turn things around at home and fund 4 super sides of their own that would be good enough to compete.
That sounds like a great model to reset the game in Aus. Take a couple of decades to invest in youth and community networks before trying to become professional again. I just suggest most aussies would be a bit more optimistic they can make it work without the two decades without any pro club rugby bit.
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