Despite winning 3 out of 4 Six Nations games and seemingly improving England beyond recognition since taking over it is still unclear whether Stuart Lancaster will be given the England job on a permanent basis. It appears now to be a two horse race between Lancaster and former Italy boss Nick Mallett.
Former England Flanker, Lewis Moody is clear on his views he has come out clearly and said he feels that the current set up should become the permanent one because they have “been there and done it”. It is that they have experience coaching England, but when Moody made those comments they had only experience it in three matches, compare that to the experience, particularly internationally of nick Mallett.
He took a South Africa team, so often damaged by Politics and outside meddling on an outstanding 17 match winning run, he took Italy to levels they could not have dreamed of, namely beating France in last year’s Six Nations and he has guided both of these sides through two impressive World Cup campaigns, nearly defeating the great Australian side of 1999 in a thrilling semi final. And in between all of these triumphs he still found time to win back to back French League titles with Stade Francais. Mallett has in short always been a success wherever he has gone.
Since leaving the Italy job he has shown even further the levels he demands from his players. Before Italy’s clash with Ireland he commented that if Italy were more than one converted score of Ireland at half time they would be on the wrong end of a drubbing, highlighting mental weakness. Harsh it seems, but he was right and it was an issue that was never really a case in his time as Italy’s coach.
Mallett also provides a knowledge of the England side that many do not see, his time as Italy coach and his subsequent work as a pundit for South African TV has given him the chance to develop an intrinsic knowledge of the England side and this would no doubt come through.
So the choice seems to be between Lancaster, who has already proven to be a success, or Mallett who would no doubt be a success. Either way the RFU have two very strong candidates and the prospects look good for English Rugby.