The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
England urged to rebuild trust
Conor O’Shea believes England must vent their frustrations to repair the trust shattered by the World Cup failure.
Harlequins boss O’Shea backed full-back Mike Brown’s comments that he no longer trusts his England colleagues after a series of leaked stories following their abysmal World Cup showing.
Brown’s remarks will make for interesting conversations when England meet in the new year to start preparations for the RBS 6 Nations.
But O’Shea still insists Brown was right to break ranks and criticise other squad members for allowing behindthe-scenes events to leak out.
The Rugby Football Union (RFU) will hope to have a new head coach in place by the time England start their Six Nations preparations early next year.
Stuart Lancaster relinquished his head coach role by mutual consent on Wednesday, sparking a global search for a replacement of “proven international experience”.
Former South Africa coach Jake White has signalled his interest in the role, despite failing with three previous applications for jobs with the RFU. The 2007 World Cupwinning coach has insisted he can win the World Cup for England, but will not subject himself to another arduous selection process.
England could yet turn to Wales boss Warren Gatland to replace Lancaster, but would need to agree a seven-figure release clause with the Welsh Rugby Union.
Gatland and assistant coach Shaun Edwards may represent a prized double act for the RFU. Edwards has insisted he is continuing talks for a new contract with Wales.
Former Ireland full-back O’Shea believes whoever takes the England helm will not face an in-fighting crisis ahead of the Six Nations.
“I 100% think Mike was right, I could not be clearer that people who play together, it is a very special bond and you don’t break that trust,” said O’Shea.