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A clear favourite has emerged to replace Jim Mallinder - reports
By Ian Cameron
It's been reported that former Bath and Toulon head coach Mike Ford is the early favourite to take over from Jim Mallinder as Director of Rugby at Northampton Saints.
The BBC report today that Ford who left Bath under a cloud last season could be willing to take the role on a short-term basis.
Ford is currently Director of Rugby at the Dallas Griffins and is helping them prepare for their entry into Major League Rugby, a new US-based professional league.
Ford's storied career has seen him take up various coaching roles at Bath, Saracens, Ireland, England and Toulon. The former Rugby League man has been tipped for the job and would be a solid stop-gap measure for a club who have found themselves without a Director of Rugby in the middle of their season.
Northampton Saints confirmed yesterday that Mallinder will be leaving his position at the club with immediate effect.
Alan Dickens, the club’s attack coach, will take over in the short-term position of interim head coach until a replacement is found for Mallinder.
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Latest Comments
Yet Ethan Blackadder was one of our best against the World Champion Springbok. When he came back to the Crusaders later in the season , he made a huge difference, ( a long with others like Codie Taylor), we nearly made the Play Off's. Ethan has plenty of rugby left in him. His family , Dad Todd Blackadder must be very [proud of him. Todd Blackadder was a 3 time champion captain of the Crusaders, '98, '99 and 2000.An icon in this area. Also twice captain of Canterbury , '97 and 2001 when we won the NPC and Ranfurly Shield winning captain in 2000.
Go to commentsIt's the same criticism of Dmac and Mo'unga as well. Sadly the way the game has been heading recently it's the only way to break down a defence, and a player of Lawrences nature would have a very limited chance at doing that because he's too one dimensional.
Noah Lolesio is your sort of player and that worked OK, but only because his team is far more creative than Englands for example. The highly organized Irish attack was also another that didn't require much from the 10, but that is now changing with Prendergast who is in that league mold like the most new age 10's.
So it is in fact your two which would require even more change to make the most of than Marcus Smith.
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