After a World Cup, there is a sense that teams have to be rebuilt whether coaching or playing, and there seems an overwhelming desire to break it down and start again whatever your results.
With Japan now a fading memory and France coming more into focus on the horizon, it seems that everyone is keen to start the rebuild as early as possible.
In the Six Nations, only Scotland and England have kept the same head coach, while Wales, Ireland, France and Italy have new men to take them forward.
In England, Eddie Jones has sought to bolster England’s fragile scrum (that’s something I never thought I’d have to write) by bringing in Matt Proudfoot, the man credited with shaping the South African scrum that hammered England in the World Cup final.
Personally, I have never understood why we now need a scrum coach at the international level. I realize the need to teach kids how to scrummage properly, making sure they have the correct technique and body position to keep safe, etc., but experienced international rugby players?
When I played we had Roger Utley as our coach. He was helped during sessions by Geoff Cooke the manager as we ran through unopposed and semi-opposed practice games.
When we finished those and the backs went off to wash their hair, we would have a scrummaging session either live or against a machine.
Roger would come and oversee what we were doing but never coached us on how to scrum.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
England show who's No.1
ENGLAND women’s head coach John Mitchell says his side will take valuable lessons from the 24-12 win over world champions New Zealand as they build towards their WXV1 title defence.
Skivington: We're going to roll dice and go for it
THE Cherry and Whites are the enigmas of the Premiership.
Looking to go one step beyond this time around
NE small step is what it will take for Bath to go one better than last season and secure the Premiership for the first time, but it would be one of the biggest taken by the club in the professional era.
Four-try England make it 17 wins on the spin
ENGLAND women opened the Allianz Stadium era at HQ with a victory over New Zealand to make it 17 wins on the bounce before their WXV title defence.
Time for Borthwick to prove his worth
HONEYMOON periods are not set in stone and in my estimation Steve Borthwick’s ends this summer. Don’t get me wrong, he’s still in good shape.
Barrington ready to power up the Mob
RICHARD Barrington has signed up to the Ampthill “Mob” reassured that he’ll still have a target on his back most weeks.
Skivington keen to build identity
GLOUCESTER won their first trophy for nine years last season and reached the Challenge Cup final, but when George Skivington went on holiday the day after the campaign ended the words in his head were never again.
Roebuck targets England success
WINNING a maiden England Test cap to top the best season of his career will not be enough for Sale winger Tom Roebuck.
Booth: Tough telling players I was leaving
TOBY Booth admits telling his Ospreys players that he would be leaving at the end of the season was one of the hardest things he has had to do in his career.
Stephens' debut try sees off old rivals
DORKING had to dig deep in another tight game between two old rivals, with the lead changing hands twice and result in doubt right up to the final whistle.
