As the WRU conduct an anonymous review and the RFU come under increasing pressure to cut their costs, rugby’s leading coaches have been left in a bizarre holding position.
Let’s start with Warren Gatland. Portas Consulting, who describe themselves as the premier global management consultancy, are working through an independent review into Welsh rugby. Players have been sent anonymous questionnaires and the findings will be presented to the board later this month, when they will decide whether Gatland stays or goes.
Should Gatland head for the exit door, Michael Cheika has been mooted as the next best super-coach on the market. Cheika is yet to commit to Leicester beyond the end of the season, although the East Midlands club would love to keep him. He signed at the club on a one-year contract but so far he has dodged conversations about his future.
One name which has come up in conversations around Welford Road is Graham Rowntree. The former prop is a Tigers hall of famer, who was recently released from his role with Munster. He began his coaching career with the Tigers in 2007 and his appointment would feel like a natural homecoming if Cheika opts to move on.
On the subject of Rowntree and Munster, the Irish province are yet to appoint a long-term successor. Felix Jones would surely whet the appetitive, having quit as England’s defence coach in the summer.
Jones remains on the RFU’s books as an expensive, protectionist measure, with a clause in his 12-month notice period that prevents him from joining a tier one Test rival.
People are questioning whether the decision to keep Felix Jones under contract despite him quitting, to stop him joining another tier one Test rival, is poor financial management
Steve Borthwick is determined to poach Phil Morrow to replace Aled Walters as strength and conditioning coach
Warren Gatland may leave Wales if the findings of a consultancy review persuade the board to pull the trigger
Jones, it seems, is in no rush to jump into another job, although he will be a leading candidate for next year’s British and Irish Lions series. He has been out in South Africa this month, speaking at a coaching conference at the Stellenbosch Academy of Sport.
As the unrest grows at Twickenham following Bill Sweeney’s bonus scandal, dissenting voices are beginning to question whether the decision to keep Jones under contract is another example of poor financial management.
The RFU are bracing to write another big cheque, with Borthwick determined to poach Saracens general manager Phil Morrow to replace Aled Walters as Strength and Conditioning coach. Morrow would involve an expensive buyout after Premiership clubs blocked him from a job-share role between club and country.
Walters, meanwhile, is also likely to be a part of next year’s Lions coaching staff. Andy Farrell is already laying the groundwork for the series against the Wallabies, whose own coach, Joe Schmidt, is also yet to make a decision on his future beyond the tour.
As the new year approaches, expect to see a wave of coaching announcements as the dominoes begin to fall.
Van Poortvliet teed up to stay with Tigers
England scrum-half Jack van Poortvliet is set to sign a contract extension with Leicester as the Tigers work on their retention for next season.
They are also stepping up their efforts to convince Springbok No 10 Handre Pollard to sign a new contract, despite early indications he would take up a move to Japan.
With back-up No 10 Jamie Shillcock close to agreeing a move to French club Brive, the Tigers are keen to keep hold of their leading playmaker.
Scrum-half Jack van Poortvliet is lined up for a contract extension with Leicester Tigers
Champions Cup cost-cutting leaves scribes hungry
There was surprise among the hungry media contingent for Premier Sports’ Champions Cup opener between Bath and La Rochelle when they discovered the broadcast catering truck had been scrapped.
For Premiership games, established rugby broadcaster TNT Sports lay on special facilities for their staff before the match. However, the change is reflective of the cost-cutting in the 2024-25 iteration of the EPCR tournament.
Ellis Genge aims to transform kids’ lives
Ellis Genge lightened the wallet of his Bristol and England team-mate Harry Randall to the tune of £1,000 at the launch of one of his new charity initiatives.
Ellis Genge has launched the Genge Fund, designed to help improve the lives of Bristol’s poorest children
The Genge Fund is designed to improve the lives of children in the city’s poorest areas by offering them opportunities in sport and education.
Last week, Genge attended an event at the groundworks of what will soon be an £11million youth facility – one which the charity which bears his name is supporting.
When the facility opens, day passes will cost £5 for children.
Genge told dignitaries he was certain Randall would sponsor a ‘couple of hundred’ children so they could be among the first to use the facility. Scrum-half Randall, who was in the audience, had no choice other than to smile and agree.
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