Saints hunt for a saviour after Mallinder axed

NORTHAMPTON will attempt to land a short-term firefighter to fill the void left by Jim Mallinder after sacking the Premiership’s longest-serving director of rugby yesterday.

The Saints, who have placed attack coach Alan Dickens in interim charge, are targeting an experienced hand to guide them through to the end of the season before making a long-term appointment in the summer.

Mallinder’s exit after a decade in charge at Franklin’s Gardens during which time he guided the Saints to the Premiership title in 2014 and Heineken Cup final in 2011 – as well as twice winning the European Challenge Cup plus the Anglo-Welsh Cup – came after a run of nine defeats in 10 games.

❑ “Jim has been AUSTRALIA have an outstanding become the first director of rugby major nation to appoint a and he will female chief executive. always be a part Raelene Castle, a Kiwi of the Saints

who formerly worked in family,” said chairman John rugby league with the White. “This is Bulldogs, takes over not a decision from Bill Pulver at that has been Rugby Australia. taken lightly but the board and major shareholders felt the time was right for change.”

Matters came to a head with the home defeat by Ospreys in Europe on Saturday in front of a crowd of just 8,105.

Northampton trailed 43-8 at one stage before losing 43-32. The comeback was too late to save Mallinder, who was due to attend the club’s staff Christmas party today.

“We will now begin an extensive search to find a world-class director of rugby to replace Jim,” said chief SACKED: Mallinder has lost his job after a run of nine defeats in 10 games for Saints executive Mark Darbon. “While that search is under way, we will look to bolster our existing coaching group on a short-term basis for this season.”

Wayne Smith, the former Saints coach who stepped down from the All Blacks management team in October, would be warmly received back at Franklin’s Gardens.

If the Saints prefer another Englishman, Mike Ford would be a leading candidate having done a similar job for Toulon last season. He is in charge of Dallas Griffins but would be available as they do not begin their competitive fixtures until next season. Andy Robinson is also free immediately having been out of top-level coaching since been sacked by Bristol 13 months ago.

Dickens, 41, will take training today ahead of Sunday’s return game at Ospreys.

Mallinder’s exit leaves Exeter’s Rob Baxter as the longest-serving director of rugby in the Premiership ahead of Mark McCall of Saracens.

McCall has unfamiliar problems at present, having presided over six successive defeats and while no-one is suggesting his position is under threat, he is struggling to find an escape route for Saracens from their worst run in 14 years.

“By the end of January we hope we can be proud of how we have responded to this difficult situation,” he said.