Lancaster only has eyes for Irish
Stuart Lancaster has insisted his focus is solely on Ireland as the debate over whether he should become England’s full-time coach intensifies.
Lancaster was appointed interim coach for the duration of the Six Nations following Martin Johnson’s post World Cup resignation and his ‘audition’ will come to an end with Saturday’s finale against Ireland at Twickenham.
The former Leeds coach, previously in charge of England’s reserve Saxons, heads into the match with a record of played four, won three with the only reverse a 19-12 Twickenham defeat by Grand Slam-chasers Wales.
Lancaster is also the only England coach to have overseen three away wins, including last weekend’s dramatic 24-22 victory against France, in a Six Nations season – a feat that proved beyond World Cup winning boss Clive Woodward.
But the Rugby Football Union (RFU) have still to make up their minds, with the likes of former South Africa and Italy chief Nick Mallett, also vying for the England job.
“I’ve tended to focus all my energy this week on getting ready for the game really, so I’ve not put not much thought into the next steps or what the future may hold,” Lancaster told reporters at England’s training base on Thursday.
“The job is so consuming in terms of the number of things you are having to deal with on a daily basis, it tends to focus your attention on that.”
England have indicated they would like a new permanent coach in place by the time they tour South Africa in June.
But Lancaster said he didn’t know when his future would be decided.
“I couldn’t comment definitively on any of the time scales because it’s not my decision to be honest. My job is to get the team ready and deal with whatever happens post Six Nations.”
As well as winning praise for England’s results, Lancaster has also been applauded for his ‘back-to-basics’ approach to the squad’s conduct following England’s notorious, and often alcohol-fuelled, excesses at the World Cup.
He shifted England’s pre-tournament base from an exclusive resort in Portugal to a lower league club in Leeds, northern England.
“Reflecting back, it was the last week in January when we met at the camp in Leeds, that was the foundation for where we are now,” Lancaster said.
“I remember at the time putting a lot of work into that week because I felt it was important to get it right and I think that was proven the case subsequently.”
Lancaster though paid tribute to the input of assistant coaches Andy Farrell, father of 20-year-old England fly-half Owen, and Graham Rowntree, a lone survivor from Johnson’s coaching regime.
“I don’t think it’s about me personally. Andy and Graham have been outstanding and the management team the majority of whom went to the World Cup, have rolled their sleeves up and really committed to this new journey and the players themselves have been brilliant.
“You couldn’t fault their effort, not one of them, and that extends way beyond the starting XV or the matchday 22.
“I look at the lads who’ve come in and come out on a weekly basis but not had their opportunity. Probably someone like [prop] Joe Marler epitomises it for me.
“He’s been down as 23rd man and been there or thereabouts all the time, we can’t quite find an opportunity, because ‘Corbs’ [Alex Corbisiero] is playing so well, to get him on the pitch. He’s been outstanding but that reflects what the other players have done.”
Meanwhile Lancaster was looking forward to signing off the Six Nations with a home win on Saturday.
“The atmosphere in France was unbelievable in terms of the occasion but also the travelling support – 15,000 people make an awful lot of noise really.
“But, equally, to now come back to Twickenham and build on the energy and emotion that was in the crowd from the Wales game is important.
“It’s a five o’clock [17.00 GMT] kick-off and I hope the crowd don’t peak too early,” Lancaster joked.
AFP
