This page is a permanent link to the reply below and its nested replies. See all post replies »
Burnley123 · 41-45, M
It depends how you take that question; current or historic?
[u]Historic[/u]
England has a large player base and plenty of money. However, we have a club model instead of a regional model and is a worse system for producing elite players than the regional structure. Its the main reason why Ireland and Wales (each with an eighth our player base) have performed as well in Six Nations over the past twenty years. New Zealand also has a regional model and they coach players from a much younger age. Also, their youngsters are much less likely to play any other sports whereas English younger will be playing a range of sports at least until their mid-teens.
2) [u]Current[/u]
Even with the factors above, England should be (and usually are) one of the major powers in world rugby. The current crop of players is under-achieving and that has to be put down to Eddie Jones. There is a constant problem of giving away too many penalties and there is no sign of this being fixed. Also, he changes the teams too much so there is no cohesion. He will probably keep his job but only because its close to a world cup.
[u]Historic[/u]
England has a large player base and plenty of money. However, we have a club model instead of a regional model and is a worse system for producing elite players than the regional structure. Its the main reason why Ireland and Wales (each with an eighth our player base) have performed as well in Six Nations over the past twenty years. New Zealand also has a regional model and they coach players from a much younger age. Also, their youngsters are much less likely to play any other sports whereas English younger will be playing a range of sports at least until their mid-teens.
2) [u]Current[/u]
Even with the factors above, England should be (and usually are) one of the major powers in world rugby. The current crop of players is under-achieving and that has to be put down to Eddie Jones. There is a constant problem of giving away too many penalties and there is no sign of this being fixed. Also, he changes the teams too much so there is no cohesion. He will probably keep his job but only because its close to a world cup.