I recently responded to a rugby blog relating to England's poor performance and I blamed the players for their current poor form. However, having thought about it, I now feel that I might have bee a tad hasty and unjust in pointing the finger at those men that are out there, giving their all for their country. Whilst I hate whingeing and people who are unable to face up to the basic fact that they might just not be good enough, we must ask why it is that England, a country who I believe, provides 60% of the global rugby playing population, is not regularly at the top of the tree? In this day and age of professionalism, there should be no excuses when we hold such an advantage.
Who then is to blame? Who is responsible? At whose door will the buck stop?
I believe that it is the RFU that need to take a long hard look at themselves - right now; Accept responsibility and admit that they are accountable. England are in a position that they might not even make it out of our pool at this World Cup (France 2007).
After dominating world rugby for three years between 2000 and 2003 and emerging as the World Champions at the last World Cup, how has it come to pass that in four short years the England rugby team are now considered by some to be the laughing stock of the global game?
I know that everyone likes to hate the English and take pot shots at us when we make the slightest slip up, but for that very reason, shouldn't we be looking to do things better than the rest of them and to put ourselves above their level.
There will be numerous reasons for the "fall from grace" and each and every self respecting rugby enthusiast will have an opinion. However, I believe that it is necessary to be objective, rational to try and remove emotion when analysing the situation and rather than pointing fingers and placing blame without offering a suggestion as to what should now happen would be unhelpful and understandably ignored.
I have my opinions (and would love to hear yours). I have listed a number of issues that I believe have combined to cause the decline that we now see manifesting itself in this implosion of form.
Please feel free to respond, comment upon and discuss:
- The RFU management structure - The wrong men are at the top. Change is required and required NOW!
- The fact that Sir Clive Woodward (SCW), was refused, by the RFU, to be allowed to roll out the next phase of his plan for England Rugby and start building for the next World Cup (France 2007), pretty much the day after the 2003 tournament concluded.
- The process of appointing coaches within the RFU. The wrong men have been sacked and the wrong men have been given key jobs since SCW's departure, I believe, purely because they have been "good servants" to the establishment. They are undoubtedly all good coaches in their own right, but each one has lacked the complete skill-set required for the top spot. Longevity of service shouldn't be the determining factor should it?
- The development and preparation of players at and for the top level since 2003. The lack of forward planning and management of our playing resources and the now embarrassing "Generation Gap" that is now so painfully apparent.
- The domestic structure and playing demands on players within English Rugby's "Guinness" Premiership (The GP).
- The continued dilution of English playing talent within The GP due to the relentless and unchecked recruitment of overseas players by clubs, with the sole aim of domestic glory.
- The power of the professional Premiership clubs over the R.F.U. and lack of divisional competition which would allow the best players in England to play at a higher level than club rugby in preparation for International action.
- The lack of skill development at a young age, but rather an infatuation with bulging biceps, voluminous pecs and an ability to "press the stack", rather than being more interested in developing the ability to pass well of both hands and make the simple decisions in a game situation.
I could go on for a while, but want to see if there are any other rugby enthusiasts that share my disappointment in the state of English rugby and the situation we are now facing.
What will it take to get the RFU to open their eyes, bite the bullet and start making some big, honest decisions that are desperately needed?
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