HARTLEY FOR ENGLAND CAPTAIN?

Stuart Lancaster did not select Dylan Hartley in his RWC squad, despite the fact that he was only banned from the first Fiji game and could have played in the others. He was not in the "circle of trust" and was not a good role model for the young. However, it appears that Eddie "Miracle Worker" Jones has a slightly different approach and has his eyes on "Mad Dog" to be the next England captain replacing Chris Robshaw. Hartley is a serial offender, especially for his club, and has a list of offences ranging from biting, elbowing, gouging, stamping, headbutting and abusing the ref. His misdemeanours have led to him missing a Lions Tour as well as a World Cup. He has also accumulated quite a few yellow cards for England, normally at critical stages in games. He plays on the edge (of the edge) and is a much better player for it. It must be the Kiwi in him, that gives him that warrior "win at all costs"spirit (he was born in Rotorua, and moved to England in 2002).

Sir, you is rubbish...

The question I keep being asked in supermarkets and pubs is "will making him England captain affect the ways he plays?". I think it will not. He is an experienced player, with over 200 caps for his club and 60 caps for his country. He is used to taking tough decisions under pressure at the highest level, has the best lineout throw and can hook, rare skills for an international hooker. I rate him highly, and he should be in England's starting XV every time, even as captain, which is a risk, but one worth taking, as England seek to rebuild. Lancaster did not see him as a role model, but New Zealand probably would, but there again they believe role models are winners - McCaw is a god in the land of the Silver Fern, but was hardly a Saint on the pitch. Hartley will lead from the front, something England badly need at the moment, and is a figurehead that Jones can build a squad around for the 6 Nations.

DON'T YOU LOVE OLD MEDIA

Rugby World's front cover this month features Henry Slade as the future of England Rugby post RWC and Lancaster's reign. That must have been published just before poor old Henry suffered a broken leg against Wasps putting him out of the 6 Nations. Gotta love old media...

The Future is...

RFU EXPERIENCE MAN UTD EFFECT

The RFU is reaping the impact of that infamous expression "money no object" as they try to move quickly to replace the Funboy Three they sacked immediately  last week. They appear frustrated at Bristol negotiating hard on release of Steve Borthwick as they experience the Man Utd transfer inflation index, where any agent or club learning of their involvement adds a few 000. Bristol are desparate to get promoted this season having been in the Championship for too many years and before their backer finds another black hole to throw his money into. They quite rightly are playing hardball with the RFU 57 (old f****) and using employment law as leverage following Borthwick's walkout. Maybe they should have constructed a football style deal involving a Rowntree Borthwick swap?  Rumours that Catt is moving to Sale as new backs coach are unconfirmed.

2016: OUT WITH THE OLD AND IN WITH THE NEW

Eddie "Miracle Worker" Jones has finally decided to rid English rugby of messrs. Farrell, Rowntree and Catt, replacing them with (probably) Steve Borthwick, Paul Gustard and Alex King. I personally think a "clean sweep" is the right decision, leaving no bad odours lingering for the players, who should now feel they all have a fair chance of being selected for the Six Nations and beyond. There just remains the small issue of paying off the Funboy Three, whose contracts the RFU had extended to 2019 just recently (yes, I know, they can afford it though).

Funboy Three have left the building

All of Eddie's selections have good reputations, from Borthwick's obvious influence on Japan in RWC 2016, Gustard's effective Saracens "wolf pack" defensive system conceding only six tries in 9 games and King's attacking CV demonstrating obvious progress at Clermont Auvergne and Northampton. The clubs affected, Bristol, Saracens and Northampton, are not impressed and are typically flexing their (legal) muscles to prevent such change, but we assume the RFU will chuck more cash at them (the only language millionaire owners understand) and England will move slowly forward.