Japanese scrum ace Marc Dal Maso in line for England
The former hooker, 48, was in charge of the Brave Blossoms’ scrum while former England captain, and already appointed as England assistant coach, Steve Borthwick took care of the lineout.
Back in 2011, former France captain Fabien Galthie was touted to take over from Martin Johnson but he later revealed in his book that, given the history between France and England, he didn’t see himself in that position.
But Dal Maso could be ready to take the plunge if it means working with his mentor.
“It wasn’t easy every day to work with Eddie but I’d like to do it again,” he said. “I was very lucky to meet him and I evolved as a coach because I constantly looked at the scrum.
“I specialised myself in that area of the game. I became fixated on the scrum and I improved as a result.
“We used to get up at 4.30am to start at 5am. He’s a workaholic who’s very hard on the players and the coaches alike. He puts a lot of pressure on everyone.
He told a French television programme: “I didn’t understand why he wanted two forwards coaches but in the end it worked.
“He pushed me hard then Steve and we evolved as a result. Everyone was very precise in their job and that’s what he wanted to take Japan where he did.”
Dal Maso won 33 caps for Les Bleus, winning Grand Slams in 1997 and 1998 and played in the 1999 World Cup final.
He moved into coaching in 2006 and was the forwards coach at Mont de Marsan when they won promotion to the Top14 in 2008 and 2012 before going to Japan in 2012 and linking up with Jones in 2013.
Following Japan’s World Cup success, Dal Maso is on many clubs’ wish list including European champions Toulon and Super Rugby winners Highlanders.
He is set to fly to New Zealand early in the New Year for three weeks to help the Highlanders prepare for the expanded 2016 Super Rugby season, but the next chapter of his life is yet to be decided.
Despite his obvious desire to be involved with Jones and England, the big question mark for himself, and the RFU, will be whether he will be healthy enough to take the position and remain in place until 2019 and the next World Cup.
Two weeks ago, Dal Maso revealed he suffers from Parkinson’s disease, something he admitted he had never discussed with Jones during his time coaching with Japan.
NICK VERDIER
