GUSTARD CREAM
Paul: Quins job too good to turn down
PAUL GUSTARD insists there is nothing rotten in the state of England’s rugby set-up despite quitting 15 months away from the World Cup.
Harlequins’ new boss gave the assurance after becoming the latest in a long line of backroom personnel to leave Eddie Jones’ staff.
“There’s no ghosts here, nothing about England was wrong,” claimed Jones’ defence coach after choosing to swap the world’s third-best nation for the Premiership’s third-worst club side.
“I’ve not walked away from this job with ill-feeling or lack of happiness. I was very happy in my role with England. I was negotiating a new contract.
“Quins wasn’t a job I sought, it wasn’t one I coveted. But the opportunity was just too good to turn down.”
England attack coach Rory Teague left last year, as did a number of analysts, medical staff, a sports psychologist as well as the head of communications. It is thought only two backroom bodies remain from when Jones (with Gustard, below) took over.
The Australian is a workaholic who admits to getting up to send 4am emails to staff.
“I don’t mind that, I get up at 4am now!” said Gustard, who succeeds John Kingston at the Stoop.
“Eddie works hard, he wants to win. If that’s a criticism of someone then that’s not a bad criticism.
“I know sometimes people talk about Eddie in a different way. For me he has always been good, but you have to be true to yourself, your style, and what you believe in. With England, I’m an assistant. I contribute when I’m asked to contribute. “Here, I would have the final say on things. It came down to my choice and my ambition to be a head coach.” Shaun Edwards (above) has been backed by Mirror columnist Matt Dawson to replace Gustard – though Wales’ defence coach is not believed to have been contacted. Jones was busy finalising a squad to face the Barbarians, one which sees Danny Cipriani listed as a ‘fullback’ and Nathan Hughes recalled after injury - though not Jack Willis, who damaged knee ligaments on Saturday. “We want to respond after not doing ourselves justice during the Six Nations,” said Gustard, who continues with England until after next month’s South Africa tour. “We underperformed and we want to respond. “Now we’ve got a different product that we’re giving to the players. I think we’ve prepared appropriately to win 3-0.”