Andy Goode has expressed astonishment at England’s failure to recruit Shaun Edwards – and warned the only way out of the team’s slump is to give attack coach Lee Blackett full license to do his job.
England resume their Nations Championship campaign against Australia next month having lost five of eight matches this year and conceded 29 tries.
Goode called for Steve Borthwick to be replaced in March, only for the England head coach to be given a contract extension.
When Edwards was appointed to help the Red Roses women’s team this autumn his mood brightened. A serial Six Nations winner in the building, a gift to struggling Team Borthwick.
Mind boggling
No meaningful talks were had. Edwards, the greatest defence coach of his generation, was instead snapped up by Argentina, who could well face England in the semi-finals of next year’s tournament.
“I just can’t understand it,” says Goode. “I can’t get my head around how he’s gone in to help one team which is run by the RFU and they have not even had a conversation about him helping the other.
“It’s mind boggling why you wouldn’t at least have the conversation. Imagine the feel-good factor around English rugby and the fan base if Shaun Edwards was appointed.
“He could have been in an England tracksuit, instead, he could now be the undoing of our World Cup chances.”
England’s discipline has been woeful this year. They tied a single season men’s Six Nations record with nine cards – eight yellows and a red – and extended that to 15 with six in three summer Tests, including an English record four against Argentina.
“The Red Roses are world champions, the best in the women’s game, a team unbeaten for four years,” Goode, the former England fly-half, continues. “Frankly, they did not need Shaun.
“Still, the RFU went to the trouble of getting him in but they did not think, do you know what, a guy who transformed France’s defensive discipline would be really good for the men’s team as well.
“Do I think they have blundered? 100 per cent. He’s there, he’s available, a man who has won seven Six Nations titles and had an impact on every team he’s coached.
“The England setup, with all due respect to the coaches they have, does not have a wealth of experience and the World Cup is less than a year away.
“The only reason I can think is that Steve doesn’t want him. I don’t know that for a fact but, logically, that’s the only reason; he doesn’t want a character like Shaun in there.”
An alternative take, aired in reports in France around the time of his departure from Fabian Galthie’s set-up, was that Edwards lacked “focus, concentration and commitment” during the most recent Six Nations.
“That is absolute nonsense, I have passed every medical that I have ever had,” Edwards was quoted by the Telegraph as saying in response.
“I’ve got my zest back for coaching,” the two-code legend assured Planet Rugby this week.
Round One awaits
The Investec Champions Cup gets underway this weekend and players who have been tearing it up in the Gallagher PREM switch to cross-border competition ahead of the autumn internationals.
On paper, as well as club form, England have a collection of individuals well capable of beating Australia and Japan and at least giving New Zealand a game. Only, this year they have not added up to the sum of their parts.
As far back as 2024 there were reports of unrest within the camp that a disproportionate focus was being placed on defence over attack.
This spring Goode hailed Blackett as a “wonderful” attack coach but complained that watching England he could not see the blueprint of how Blackett’s sides play and attack on the pitch.
“I was really excited when Lee joined England but until the France game, I don’t think he was allowed to have as much impact on attack as he wanted,” said the Premier Sports pundit.
“It was still very Borthwick-led, and that’s Steve’s character; very controlling, sees the game in his manner, and that’s it. I believe there was a bit of a fallout between Steve and some of the senior players on the summer tour.”
Last weekend Northampton and Bath, England’s top two clubs, shared in a 119-point thriller. “The skill level was ridiculous,” says Goode, who will be on punditry duty tomorrow at Gloucester and on Sunday at Saints.
“It wasn’t like boys were missing tackles, it was speed of ball and offloading and actual desire to attack and have a crack.
“Had it been Bordeaux and Toulouse everyone would have been losing their minds over it, saying only the French are capable of this sort of attacking rugby.
“So the talent is undoubtedly there in the English game but it will only translate to the national team if Steve buys into the talent he’s got and the mindset of how they want to play.
“At a time when attacks are so dominant in the game he must, 100 per cent, without a shadow of a doubt, empower Lee. If it doesn’t work his head is on the chopping block. That’s life.
Evolving
“But rugby is evolving and changing towards a more attack-based game plan. Lee has to be given complete control over England’s attack.
“You only have to look at the impact Dave Rennie’s had since taking the All Blacks job and the complete change of mindset of those players from where they were under Scott Robertson.
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“They’re now playing the game and seeing the game like Rennie: high possession, high tempo. Previously, he brought that to Glasgow and was improving Australia.
“How ironic the Wallabies got rid of Dave Rennie to bring in Eddie Jones and go backwards. And last weekend Rennie puts 50 points on them at his first opportunity.”
Big games. Bigger Moments. Andy Goode is part of the Premier Sports team bringing every Investec Champions Cup fixture live this season plus 20 top EPCR Challenge Cup games along with URC, Top 14 and Japan League One and the Rugby League World Cup. It all kicks off this weekend with 14 live games from EPCR Round One. To join in www.premiersports.com @PremSportsTV from just £13.99 a month.