'Pau will be a huge test for us but it's a challenge I know our guys are up for'

Geoff Parling in his recent interview with me thought it was the area in which the Aussie sides had improved the most, and I’d guess knowing Geoff that is based on solid facts.

So maybe the Reds-Chiefs final Q was not typical? The Aussie sides are 7-0 in games against non-Aussie opponents finishing in less than a one score victory, which implies for the most part they are hanging tough…

So who would actually be coaching the WBs, esp with the Lord and poss Mike Cron leaving? It only leaves Geoff Parling and Eoin Toolan!

It might work with him as a p/t DoR and a f/t senior coach alongside.

I’d def like to see more of HMP, for mine he’s got teh highest ceiling of any 10 in Aussie.

I always remember Graham Henry telling me, ‘however much you love the gameplan, if the weather changes, you have to be prepared to abandon it.’ I reckon that applied to the Reds last weekend too.

It was like that at Irish too. They were hell-bent on playing their game-plan, come what may!

I just wish he’d show a bit more willingness to engage on matters outside it!

Although I do feel Les K is the outstanding Aussie candidate for the job, it would be hard for him to keep a foot in both camps at once, and it would wreck the Reds if he took his team with him to the WB.

So I’d be more inclined to appoint a top tracksuit coach in anticipation of Joe S. becoming involved again before 2027. I can’t see Les doing so much of the tracksuit work now, so Aussie needs a bloke who can coach attack and D to a high standard with the Lord leaving in November.