Coventry mindset ‘cost Irish hope of survival’
TOM Coventry’s dismal season at London Irish need not have ended in relegation according to former Exiles backs specialist Richard Whiffin, who is now enjoying a new lease of life as Gloucester’s head of academy.
Whiffin, who served Irish for 11 years before being jettisoned at the end of the 2015-16 campaign, says Coventry never got to grips with life in the Premiership after being summoned from New Zealand side Chiefs.
Whiffin told TRP: “The most frustrating thing was that the three new coaches that season – Tom, Grant Doorey and Clark Laidlaw – didn’t ask questions of experienced guys like myself and Glenn Delaney.
“They got told everything the club had done was poor and to change anything they wanted, but they didn’t realise that we’d competed pretty well in the Premiership within a strict budget under a good management staff.
“If they’d understood a bit about the league and the players we’d got, it might have worked. Clark and Grant understood that after a few months, but Tom’s mindset was closed and relegation became inevitable.
“In a way it’s been good for me because, after being forced to leave, coming into another environment at Gloucester last season was really refreshing and it has made me a much better allround coach.”
Now working with Gloucester’s first team as well as their academy, Whiffin insists England must “take a look” at dualqualified scrum-half Ben Vellacott before Scotland come calling.
Whiffin said: “Ben has a huge future at Gloucester and he’s the perfect No.9 in terms of how we to play.
“He’s getting more first team games and pushing through, but he’s already played age-group rugby for Scotland and I wouldn’t be surprised if Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend’s on the phone soon.
“England must take a look because I think he can play Test rugby and he has X-factor you can’t defend against.”
Meanwhile, back row star Ross Moriarty is fit again. Whiffin added: “We hope he’ll be fully loaded for our next league game against Saracens.”