IF that is to be the last game for Tony Smith and he concentrates on Warrington, who do we think??? I would like Smith to stay so its not a knee jerk, get rid of him thread.

I personally really want to see a British coach but in SL we have Noble (been there and done it, so no), Agar (no), McNamara (already involved, no), Kear (done it before).

If its an English man, Kear? Best of a bad lot I feel.

I really dont know?

McDermott maybe? I would like to see the bloke with some better players, he was definitely missed at Leeds for a while.

I'd much rather scrap internationals for a few years. Just what is the point of the 4 Nations next year in Australia?

The point is NZ and Oz get a couple of warm up games against us and PNG before they play a final against each other.

IF Smith quits or is given the boot, and IF we appoint anyone, they'll be a the best of a bad lot then. Great start for a discussion. And how long before whoever takes the reigns is hung out to dry in exactly the same way? And the bloke after him, and so on, and so on...

Barrie or Brian?

There isn't anyone sadly.

I just hope it's not Kear as i've never rated him as a coach.

Like this time.... oh wait!

My point is is that there is no clear candidate and thats a genuine problem. Have the RFL groomed someone as they should? I'm not sure.

And I havent hung Smith out to dry. Results suggest he has not succeeded, but I actually think he has done a lot right and would like him to stay.

Best to read a post before criticising it.

Bedtime for thee methinks.

Brian. As much as a like Barrie, I think he has too much of a one eyed view of things.

Smith should go purely because he's a club coach imo. England is in a tentative stage of development, we need a coach that can go into clubs and see the young players objectively, not a coach that just turns up at the end of the year and picks a raffle team.

Lets get somebody in that's not good enough to be a club coach. Awsome.

Shaun Edwards or John Kear

Right, im ready to be shot down here, but what about someone like Paul Sculthorpe?

Its not a systemic club style coach thats needed. Its someone who is respected, can motivate with good tactical awareness.

Meninga got a rep role really early?

We need someone who wont covet a club day to day job.

Sorry, wasn't having a go at you. Clearly, you're one of the few that realise a knee-jerk reaction is not the answer. Should've read the post properly

You need the players first. we are a few years off yet.

Yes, that's EXACTLY what I said



Taking your idiocy with a pinch of salt though, international coaching is much different to club coaching, so simply picking the best club coach isn't the best way forward

No worries, the RFL have to have in mind the coach for 2013, 2015 and beyond, but i just dont know it the system for coaches is that sophisticated?

There are some really top guys on the performance camps but I do think the barrier of being a "name" prevents top coaches coming through.

You have to be a coach AND a player and there just are not enough who did both.

The top jobs dont go to people who the press would say "who?" at the appointment.

Pick a coach then.

I have no idea, but it's not my job to pick the right coach. The ideal candidate would be someone who has the development of English youngsters at heart, but also has all the qualities of a big game coach. He needs to be able to do the hard work at grass roots as well as on the big stage, and demand the respect of the players in the dressing room.

It's tough, but the main thing is that it needs to be a full time position, and it needs somebody who has the qualities required, and the desire to be a full time international coach - which Smith clearly isn't given his Warrington appointment

Again, ready to be shot down but how about;

Paul Sculthorpe
Ellery Hanley
Mal Reilly

None would appear to be likely to want to go to a club. All have the utmost respect from pros. And the age of Mal isnt an issue - its wasnt for Sir Bobby Robson.

We dont need someone who develops young players, we have staff who do that, we dont need someone at grass roots, thats not the job, we need someone respected, who knows the game, will motivate and produce a side ready to go and play. Its not individual coaching, its simply getting the best 17 you can find all going the same way and ready to die for each other.

I think Shaun Edwards is a great shout. But it really is a poisoned chalice, it is like being captain at school and getting to pick second. We just have nobody decent to pick from.

Ellery Hanley?

Bit erratic, possibly, but a living legend and available. Building solid foundations is good, but maybe we need a bit of magic. Or a lot.

Shaun Edwards would be my pick too. Totally fits the bill, but I think he is just too ambitious in club coaching and has far more targets to go for in RU