Lancaster To Be England Coach.

In the past the RFU was famed for rather irrational decisions based on what was perceived as to what they, or the old boys netwrok wanted - best commented on by Will Carling.

Even recently decisions by the have often been curious, however, after the success of the Six Nations even the RFU in days of old would have struggled to appoint anyone bar Stuart Lancaster

He's been phenomenally succesful so far and we (England fans) have to hope this continues, my only concern being, will it, is it possible it was just a flash in the pan - we'll see I guess.

Having back their man, the RFU now need to go the whole way and provide Lancaster with whatever and whoever he needs - Andy Farrell jumps immediately to mind. I'd still like to see an old head either involved or available if Lancaster needs and feel their might be a "Yoda" role available for someone like Graham Henry

YE congrats are in order. And as an outsider looking in i think it is a great appointment. The players look really happy under him and thats half the battle for any manager.

He will have challenges ahead, but seems capable of dealing with them.

SARS

On Graham Henry, i do believe he has stated he has no interest in a role with England. He said he is committed to his family who are in NZ and not going to be moving. And indeed he stated that he would consider a consultancy role with a European Club side, on a 6 week per year kind of deal.

But who knows and as u say a "yoda" role or in his words a consultancy role could be a possibility, but for an NZ legend like him to join the England team would result in fair bad press in his native land. They do seem to dislike you guys a fair bit. Specially since the All Black kit is now worn by England players LOL

From a Welsh point of view its seem that the RFU have finally made a good appointment after a few dodgy decisions.

Lancaster certainly seems to be liked by the players without being too close like it was suggested MJ was.

If he can keep England playing the way they did in the 6 nations with a bit of flair it could be exciting times for England.

Its always a brilliant 6 nations when several teams are playing open rugby and its too close to call, I am already looking forward to next years when I highly expect 4 teams to be cabable of winning it.

Cobnob
I like this statement!
"Its always a brilliant 6 nations when several teams are playing open rugby and its too close to call"

How ironic is it that France are moving away from this style! :D

Yep was really dissapointed with them this year, you just always expect them to suddenlly click, and bar a few phases here and there it really didn't this year.

I suppose they deserve some time with a new coach too.

Ah but there in you have the problem. PSA has quite clearly stated that he does not want them playing the "french way" no heads up rugby in their future. He wants structure and organisation, or so he says. And he says he wants to rid the French of their "unpredictable" tag. The term "which french team will turn up" is in his sights also. no more of that nonsense for Saint Andre.

Well what ever french team turns up with PSA looks to be a boring one! for the foreseeable future

What a fool

Cobnob
Well mate, Could be a genius move we will have to wait and see. Any French manager has a difficult job to be fair. They normally have less time with the players as well. But i think his approach has merits. Just as long as he does not neuter the french flair. But in fact Focuses it. They have the making of being as consistently good as the All Blacks, if they are focused.

The down side in my opinion is this. The French club game is boring. There is no real flair in their league. It all about massive packs nullifying each other and so often its a dead heat. Drop goals are a premium in the french league. They show virtually nothing of that French way. It only exists in the national team. And i don't believe that kind of game plan can work at international level. 10 years ago Yes, but now... no way.

It is safe to say the RFU have made the correct decision this time. They had no choice really after the Six Nations, they would have been heavily criticized if they asked Lancaster to step down.

If England continue their recent open and skillful play under Lancaster then they will be a force to be reckoned with and he will have done a great job.

The players seem to respect and like him and the fans and pundits alike also seem to agree he is the right man for the job.

Good times ahead for Northern Hemisphere rugby i feel!

On France, as an Englishman, in northern hemisphere terms they are our mortal rivals and Australia aside its the game I most want England to win. Despite this I have a strong affinity for France, its people, its culture and especially its cinema, wine and food.

For me the French rugby team are partially about sport but with a strong cultural influence, like their cinema they are totally unique and unlike any other rugby playing nation in the way they play the game, and I deeply admire that.

Though they can be infuriating to play against - and I think Ireland must feel this the most deeply - they play the game as an art form, where self expression is to be encouraged and admired - that is what makes France so totally different and why they can lose to Italy and beat New Zealand away in a space of 18 months.

As a fan of the greater game I don't want France to be England or to play like England, I want to be excited and fascinated and admire their joie de vivre, and genius / lunacy, even if that is occasionally to Englands expense.

Personally I don't think the French job is that hard, rather I think France have made it hard by bad selection and unnatural (for France) tactics. I'd love the job, training would just consist of turning up, playing the Marseillaise to the players at full blast whilst wasted on a bottle of 82 Petrus telling them to go home, come back on Saturday and play like France and thats that!