No obvious replacement for Eddie Jones, says David Flatman

DAVID Flatman feels that a lack of an obvious replacement is a key reason as to why England won’t replace Eddie Jones as head coach.

Pressure has mounted on the England boss following another poor Six Nations campaign, with many calling for England to follow world champions South Africa in changing the head coach 18 months out from the 2023 World Cup.

Rassie Erasmus was appointed South Africa head coach in March 2018 and lifted the World Cup crown 18 months later in Japan.

Speaking to The Rugby Paper Podcast, the former Saracens, Bath and England prop said: “I don’t think it would be an easy decision 18 months out from a World Cup but I do think that the fact there isn’t an obvious replacement is key.”

Flatman pointed to the fact that there is nobody in the current England coaching set up that would be a suitable replacement.

He said: “No one has stayed in Eddie Jones’ coaching team for five minutes in relative terms. The turnover is huge.

“When Eddie Jones took over there was huge talk of part of his role being succession planning. I don’t think any of the coaches there now would be head coach after Eddie Jones.

“One guy that might is Steve Borthwick. He’s five minutes into a project at Leicester Tigers, would he take on that role now? Is he the right person for that role now?”

“Everyone’s talking about Rob Baxter but I don’t think the RFU have ever mentioned him.”

Flatman feels that the England head coach job is the highest pressured and most scrutinised job in world rugby.

He said: “Who are you going to replace him with that can do what Rassie Erasmus did with South Africa in the highest pressured job in the game?”

Change of England personnel

Instead of a change of coach, Flatman feels England would benefit from a change in personnel.

“I don’t see progress, I don’t believe that (RFU) statement.

“There are a couple key areas that include by picking different players.

“Watching the game on Saturday, England were run ragged by the ruck speed of France.

“France weren’t going that hard at the breakdown, they were keeping as many lads on their feet as they could. England’s ruck speed and getting the ball away was visibly slower than France.

“It makes a defensive teams day easier. There is a personnel issue there. Pick people in their best positions and pick the best players.”

There was one man who Flats, Brendan Gallagher and Nick Cain all felt should be brought into the England set up – Mark Atkinson.

The Gloucester centre could provide a different dimension to England’s faltering attack.

“Mark Atkinson is 6ft 5, he’s bigger than your house. Pick him! He’s hard, runs clever lines – a brilliant distributor,” said Flatman.

“He’s a brilliant rugby player and is brilliant for Gloucester. He’s a key part of what they are doing.”

Throughout the Six Nations, England struggled without the injured Manu Tuilagi.

The lack of Plan B in England’s attack showed as they managed to score just three tries against Scotland, Wales, Ireland and France.

However, David Flatman feels that Atkinson could be a perfect Plan B option as 12 for England.

“He’s (Atkinson) not as powerful as Manu. But what are you going to do? Put two 13’s in the midfield?

“I love Joe Marchant – he does it all.

“Henry Slade at his best is world class. At his best Slade can push for a World XV place he can be that silky and smooth.

“I always think Henry Slade is more threatening at 13. So, do you put Marchant at 12? Well not really as he is not bulky and a hit man. I just think Mark Atkinson is ready made.”

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Written by BENJAMIN REDWOOD