LANCASTER RESIGNS (UPDATED)

Inevitable but sad - no better English coach so assume they will look overseas. Unfortunately, being an RFU sponsored appointment (who are expert backside coverers), if results did not go to plan, then he was always going to be expendable. This is evidenced by RFU distancing themselves quickly from Sam Burgess experiment. Ironically, Lancaster was the antithesis of his predecessor, Martin Johnson, being rooted in a very different set of cultural values, big on player discipline and connection to the grass roots of the game. He was deliberately chosen by the RFU on that basis, but unfortunately, some players did not respond well to his school teacher attitude, no drinking (or fun) policy and his overcoaching philosophy, and the Burgess experiment caused much friction and resentment in the squad. England, as hosts, looked under pressure from day one, and became terribly low risk in their approach to key matches (especially Wales), with the result that, when faced with having to think on their feet and conjure up a Plan B, failed miserably. Stuart Lancaster is a decent man, but he simply didn't have the international experience required to beat good opposition (he only won 3/15 v Southern Hemisphere teams) or win big tournament games (England never won a Grand Slam Six Nations during his tenure) especially in a RWC Group of Death. The Southern Hemisphere teams have left the North behind in terms of basic skills, mental strength, game strategy and ability to manage the scoreboard. All the money (and power) is with the English and French clubs, who really don't care about the international team, so Lancaster's successor will have a hell of a fight on their hands to achieve a sensible compromise on player time between club and country. I hope that they are successful in relaxing the non Premiership rule to allow Armitage to be selected, but think this will remain off the table.