As Steve Borthwick’s backroom staff dwindles almost daily, those in power at Twickenham will likely be trying to come up with another
Felix Jones’s resignation over the weekend cannot be described as anything other than a disaster. Photograph: David Rogers/Getty Images they like a project. Planning for a successor to Eddie Jones was known as “Project Everest” while the Six Nations’ move to aggregate broadcasting rights was billed as “Project Light” and it does not take a degree in management-speak to figure out who came up with that.
Jones is among the most highly rated coaches around and introduced a blitz system — so successful during his time with South Africa — that endured a few teething problems in the Six Nations but is already bearing fruit. Players were stunned by his attention to detail but the fact he feels compelled to follow Walters, with whom he is particularly close, out the door raises awkward questions about Borthwick’s working environment and a significant one as to where England go next.
Instead, the answer has been staring the RFU in the face for the best part of 20 years. It was in 2006 that Shaun Edwards, who collected 37 major winners’ medals playing rugby league, was first approached to join England by Andy Robinson, who was then head coach. He turned it down, deciding he was not ready, that he needed to be in a club job that occupied him daily while he was grieving the death of his brother.
On Borthwick’s appointment he repeatedly used the word “clarity” and providing it is among Edwards’ greatest strengths. Indeed, he stole the show during the Six Nations’ Full Contact documentary with his crystal clear message to his players not to play too much in their own half. “Quand nous avons le ballon dans notre camp, kick the f**king ball.”
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