Rassie Erasmus Admits He'd Love to Hire England's Madman Joe Marler
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Springboks mastermind Rassie Erasmus has laid out his game-changing vision for international rugby, and it includes none other than England's front-row legend, Joe Marler.
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In a Mail Online column, the double World Cup winner proposed assembling a team of scrummaging experts — ex-players like Marler — to serve as specialist scrum referees.
"For international rugby, why not form a group of world-class scrummaging experts — former players or coaches — to serve as specialist scrummaging referees?" Erasmus suggested.
These scrumming gurus would be ready to sprint onto the pitch the moment a scrum is called, taking charge of the set-piece with authority. "Get them in the gym so they are on and off the pitch quickly. It would be their only job, so they would have no impact on the rest of the game," he added, outlining how they'd enhance the experience for players and viewers alike.
Erasmus also touched on how scrums used to be far quicker and more intense in the 90s, saying, "If you go back to the Nineties, a scrum would be formed 20 seconds from the knock on. It was so much quicker. Why are they becoming a nightmare?"
He emphasized the value of having experienced figures like Marler to speed things up and keep things honest.
"Nobody would question decisions made by guys like Graham Rowntree or Petrus du Plessis or Joe Marler as expert scrum referees," he wrote, underlining how rugby could bring back the fast-paced scrummaging the game is missing.
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NEXT ENGLAND HEAD COACH ODDS:
Below we look at the current bookies favourites to replace Borthwick.
Rob Baxter – 12/1
The long-serving Exeter Chiefs coach has built a highly successful team, guiding them from the Championship to European champions.
Although Baxter has expressed satisfaction with his role at Exeter, he remains open to discussing the England job. His experience is primarily at the club level, which might be a consideration for the RFU in selecting a national head coach.
Andy Farrell – 10/1
Ireland's current head coach, Andy Farrell, would be a high-profile option for England, especially given his previous role as their defence coach from 2011 to 2015.
However, he is under contract with Ireland through 2025, and his departure following England's disappointing 2015 World Cup could complicate a return to the RFU.
Ronan O’Gara – 6/1
The La Rochelle head coach has established himself as a respected leader in European rugby. O’Gara has previously expressed interest in the England role, but he has acknowledged the mental leap required to take on such a high-profile position.
Family considerations and alignment with England's rugby leadership would be factors in his decision.
Michael Cheika – 5/1
An experienced international coach with stints leading Australia and Argentina, Michael Cheika brings tactical insight and adaptability.
His broad international background would offer England a fresh perspective from outside the English rugby system.
Stuart Lancaster – 2/1
Currently the frontrunner, Lancaster's successful period with Leinster has boosted his profile since his last tenure as England head coach.
The Racing boss has expressed interest in coaching England again, although he's also open to opportunities in the southern hemisphere. Lancaster's RFU experience makes him a familiar and appealing choice for the role.
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