Jones, a major hit with Japan at the recent World Cup in England, wants to revert to a style of play for which the Western Province side was previously renowned in order to try to lead them to a first Super Rugby title.
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Chief executive Ritchie refused to consider his own position, before targeting a head coach of “proven worldwide experience” – leaving Michael Cheika, Eddie Jones and Wayne Smith at the front of a potential hit-list.
Jones said that although he has been linked to England there has been “no contact” from the English.
“Since I finished with the Springboks I have always made it clear I have a burning desire to win another World Cup”, he said.
Ritchie, who in March branded England’s failure to win the Six Nations under Lancaster as “unacceptable”, said the review into the team’s World Cup performance had been comprehensive.
“We’re thoroughly behind Ian in the process and I think what he’s done over the four years he’s been here… we’re in a pretty good state”, added Beaumont, England’s 1980 Grand Slam-winning captain. “If you have been to Everest and put the pole in the top of Everest…it is easy to talk about if you have never done it”. In his role as head coach to England he has been the proverbial workaholic, conscientious and diligent in everything he did in order to make England the best.
Writing in the Daily Mail, Woodward said: “At Wednesday’s press conference, Ritchie confirmed he will lead the search for the next England coach, that the next England coach will report to him and that he will appoint someone with worldwide coaching experience”.
Lancaster’s departure, three-and-a-half years after his appointment, was expected in the light of England’s disastrous World Cup campaign, which saw the hosts eliminated in the group phase.
“There are coaches there who have done their time and I would like to think they would at least get asked, or be thought of as genuine contenders, before we start thinking that we’ve got to bring in an overseas coach”. I am who I am and I have coached who I have coached.
Gatland is now holidaying in New Zealand after leading Wales to the World Cup quarter-finals, including a win over England at Twickenham.
“I spent several hours with Stuart and together we concluded that it was time for a change of head coach”.
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Ritchie pledged “no inhibitions” in recruiting Lancaster’s replacement, which effectively means the RFU is ready to break the bank and hand their chosen man one of the world’s most lucrative contracts.
