‘Don’t ignore 2003 World Cup winners’
EX-WINGER ROBINSON CALLS FOR HOME-GROWN KNOWLEDGE TO AID AILING ENGLAND
By Chief Sports Writer, Abu Dhabi
Jason Robinson, the former England winger, has advised the Rugby Football Union to harness the expertise of World Cup winners such as himself to help revive the ailing Red Rose.
Robinson, who scored a try in England’s 20-17 World Cup final win over Australia in 2003, also backed former teammate Lawrence Dallaglio’s call for two home-grown coaches to be installed alongside new supremo Eddie Jones.
The 41-year-old endorses the Australian’s credentials, but insists the RFU must not ignore the abundant coaching talent and brains in England to help the 2015 World Cup hosts recover from the ignominy of being knocked out of their own event at the group stage in the autumn.
Ex-players not being used
“There are a lot of ex-players not being used at the moment and hopefully that might change in the future,” Robinson, who is in Dubai for the Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens as an HSBC rugby ambassador, told Gulf News in a telephone interview.
“You have got players in England who have won the World Cup, so it would be wise for the RFU to tap into some of that knowledge, but that’s for them to decide. Certainly there’s a lot of talent working in other areas and who maybe could benefit England in some shape or form.”
Would the 2003 World Cup winners support a think-tank, though?
“I’m sure if that was set up, I think the players would want to do it. I’ve never been asked for advice, so I doubt they’d ask me, but there’s certainly a lot of talent they could tap into such as Dallaglio and [2003 World Cup-winning captain] Martin Johnson.
“Meanwhile, I’ll just the ambassador’s roles.”
Earlier this week, former
enjoy England back-row Dallaglio urged the RFU to promote English coaches to key roles alongside Jones as a “succession plan” for when the Australian’s contract expires after the 2019 World Cup.
“I understand that idea,” Robinson, who won 51 caps for England between 2001 and 2007 after representing England and Great Britain at rugby league, said. “If England wanted coaches with international experience, not many English coaches have that. But we have some great English coaches, the likes of Rob Baxter [at Exeter] and [Northampton’s] Jim Mallinder, doing great things at club level and they could maybe help with their knowledge of the players and also the culture of England.
“It’s important
to
understand that as well.”
Robinson said results would decide whether Jones, who led Australia to the 2003 World Cup final and who masterminded Japan’s stunning 3432 victory over South Africa at the 2015 World Cup group stage, is a success.
Japan upset
“Japan were well drilled and well organised and that wasn’t by chance — it was mainly down to Jones,” Robinson added. “Would I have appointed him? Ultimately I’d want an English coach. But if you haven’t got anybody with experience, you have got to look elsewhere.
“But it’s all about results. If Eddie Jones gets England in good shape and England win the 2016 Six Nations, the fact he is Australian I don’t think makes much difference.”
Robinson would not be drawn, however, on the future of captain Chris Robshaw.
“It’s his [Jones’s] decision and ultimately he has to make the right calls for him.”
Jones, who succeeded Stuart Lancaster in the England hot seat, had criticised the Harlequins flanker during the World Cup, saying that he just “doesn’t have that point of difference” at international level.
The Australian has since admitted his comments were “naughty” and stressed he would speak to Robshaw face to face before making a decision on the captaincy.
You have got players in England who have won the World Cup, so it would be wise for the RFU to tap into some of that knowledge, but that’s for them to decide.“
Jason Robinson
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Former England winger