WHERE DOES EDDIE GO FROM HERE?

Dust off the pen once more, a year before the next World Cup in Japan, and ahead of the Autumn Internationals, which see England take on the Big Southern Hemisphere 3 (including NZ) and Japan. Mike Tindall wrote in the Rugby Paper this week that England need to beat all four teams in 2018 at home before the RWC in Japan, a big ask, especially with New Zealand dominant once more plus South Africa and Australia improving as their stars return South in RWC year.

But, yes I hear you cry, if England cannot beat these teams at home, what chances do they have of overcoming them in Japan on neutral ground in 14 months time? England have put in some average performances this year, especially Scotland and France in Six Nations and in the First Test against SA, but they are not a bad side. Eddie's problem has been that he cannot protect his best players like the Celtic and Southern countries can through central contracting. The English Premiership clubs, awash with wealthy ego driven owners, unsurprisingly demand value for money from their international players, and with (very rich) Bristol now (finally) promoted this will not change. Eddie cannot even expect support from the clubs in ensuring key players like Elliot Daly play in England's favoured full back position, as Wasps need him to play 13 or wing.

Eddie, like many rugby coaches at this time of year, is scratching his head wondering what the new (extended) season will bring, one that could see him win the World Cup for England for only the second time ever. An achievement, which if he pulls it off, would be one off the greatest ever, considering the strength of NZ and the relatively poor form they are in versus their 2003 counterparts.