Six Nations: Stuart Lancaster packs punch in fight for England post

STUART Lancaster confirmed he has applied for the full-time England coach’s job after joining his players in shedding blood during a physical 13-6 Calcutta Cup victory over Scotland.

England’s interim coach required two stitches to his hand after accidentally punching a light fitting in the coaches’ box at Murrayfield as he celebrated Charlie Hodgson’s try in the early moments of the second-half.

Hodgson’s converted try, following a charged-down Dan Parks kick, proved the difference on the scoreboard, but England’s victory was founded on the character, unity and pride Lancaster has been building in his new-look squad.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

That and Scotland’s now habitual inability to score tries. Andy Robinson is not shy of punching the walls in his coaching booth – but usually only out of frustration. For the fourth consecutive, match Scotland failed to cross the whitewash, with Ross Rennie guilty of blowing one golden opportunity after he had cut through the England defence.

Rennie delayed his pass too long, allowing the excellent Ben Foden to execute the man and ball tackle – one of 147 made by England in a lung-bursting defensive effort.

Lancaster’s application to be Martin Johnson’s permanent successor may have been lodged with the Rugby Football Union, but his CV already needs updating after a successful start to England’s “new era”.

“My application has gone in,” said Lancaster, who will be up against candidates recommended by city head-hunters Odgers. “To take the head coaching job of England and to get the first win was the greatest feeling I have had in rugby.

“I punched the ceiling light and split my finger when Charlie scored. I asked the doc after the game whether it needed to be looked at and he put in two stitches! It was the first time Andy Farrell, Graham Rowntree and I had worked together in a game. There was a mixture of nerves and excitement.

“There was a responsibility and a pressure to provide the performance, particularly given we had taken over a group that was struggling.

“It has been pretty tough for England since the World Cup quarter-final game against France. We have not won here since 2004 and to have come away with a win has hopefully given people at home something to smile about.”

Lancaster’s ambition when he took over as caretaker coach was to reconnect England players with their public, to cleanse the tarnished image of the national team following the World Cup.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

In an ideal world, Lancaster wants his side to play high-tempo attacking rugby but he knows that nothing can be achieved on the field if the culture is wrong, as it so clearly had been. Lancaster selected the side on form and desire, reminding his players of who they represent when they pull on the England jersey the pride they should feel in doing it. England footballer Gary Neville, England rugby league captain Jamie Peacock and Corporal Simon Brown, an Afghanistan veteran, were among those to deliver inspirational speeches which drummed that message home. “We have been delighted with the attitude we showed, particularly in defence. Our discipline was very good and so was our desire to work hard, play for each other, play for the shirt,” Lancaster said. “They are the things we have talked about and it was great to see them come through. If we hadn’t built the foundations in the way we did, you don’t get the quality of commitment in the team.

“You could hear the players talk about some of the things the speakers said. It all adds up to building a team.

“To get a win first up gives the players confidence we are going in the right direction. I think they knew it but it was nice to reinforce it.”

England started with three debutants in Owen Farrell, who kicked two penalties and a conversion, alongside Brad Barritt in the centres and Phil Dowson at No 8. Four more made their debuts off the bench, when Lancaster took the bold move of sending on Lee Dickson, Jordan Turner-Hall, Ben Morgan and Geoff Parking for the final quarter with the game on a knife-edge.

But England kept tackling and, crucially, kept their discipline – something they had lacked the whole way through Johnson’s regime.

“We had done a lot of defending and there was an energy balance that was tipping in Scotland’s favour at the 60th minute. You have to trust the players and we certainly trusted the bench,” Lancaster said.

“I always believed after the World Cup it was an opportunity to start again, it was time to build a new England team.”