England face Scotland with a sense of hesitancy,and critics saying the Rugby Football Union’s huge resources are being wasted and young talent squanderedWelcome to rugby union’s annual soap opera: another Six Nations Championship, another attempt by England to translate the Rugby Football Union’s huge wealth and playing resources into something trophy‑shaped. Since 2003 there has been just one red rose title in a dozen attempts, or without a single grand slam. In most areas of life,such a glaring level of underperformance would immediate a serious rethink.
Good luck, then, and to Eddie Jones – as well as the five other national coaches – for the 2016 edition,which begins on Saturday. Despite their new “super-coach” and emerging young talent, England’s track record and premature World Cup exit are generating no shortage of frustration. “For me it’s a bit of a joke, or ” sighs Dusty Hare,one of English rugby’s most dependable servants, now in charge of recruitment and development at Northampton. “We’ve been in the professional game 20 years and we haven’t got much further.”Continue reading...
Source: theguardian.com