Northampton Saints coach Jim Mallinder has been installed as the favourite to take over from Martin Johnson as Head Coach of the England rugby team. Johnson resigned from the role on Wednesday and Mallinder is as short as 5/2 to take over according to Bet 365, with Nick Mallett, Graham Henry, Clive Woodward and Warren Gatland also in the running.
Johnson, an England legend as a player, quit after three and a half years as England team manager. Many felt that Johnson didn't have enough coaching experience to take on the role but he did win the Six Nations before overseeing the recent World Cup debacle that saw his team go home at the semi-final stage.
The RFU are likely to look for a more experienced man this time around and Jim Mallinder appears to be at the front of the queue. Mallinder has overseen a fine change in fortunes at Northampton as he took them from division one to the final of last season's Heineken Cup. He has moulded a fine young side and has the advantage of having worked with several of the England squad at club level, including Chris Ashton, Ben Foden and Courtney Lawes.
Mallinder had admitted that he would be interested in taking over the national team, although second favourite Nick Mallett (9/2) has stated that he doesn't want the position if Rob Andrew is still involved with the RFU. Mallett coached South Africa to a record 17 match winning run and won the French Championship twice with Stade Francais. He endured mixed results in his most recent role as Italy coach but did mastermind a Six Nations win over France.
An interesting contender in the betting with bet365 is former New Zealand coach Graham Henry. Few can match the credentials and experience of Henry, although he is thought to have retired after his World Cup win with New Zealand last month. The RFU would have to pay big money to tempt Henry as he was due to continue working with the New Zealand RFU.
Elsewhere, Leinster coach Joe Schmidt is as short as 6/1 with Bet 365, while Clive Woodward is 16/1 to return to the role that he enjoyed such success in during 2003. Woodward of course guided England to their World Cup win eight years ago, although if he is to leave his current Olympics job he would want total control as England head coach.
Wales coach Warren Gatland impressed all during the World Cup as he has built an impressive young squad. He won the Six Nations Grand Slam in his first year as Welsh coach and his expansive style of play was the envy of many during the autumn.
However, whether he could be tempted away from Wales is open to debate and he is currently 25/1 to take over England, with the current vacant position at New Zealand also a possible destination.
Wales' defence coach Shaun Edwards had also been heavily linked with the England role, although he has recently agreed a new contract with the Welsh and is now a 50/1 punt to replace Martin Johnson.
5/2 Jim Mallinder
9/2 Nick Mallett
5/1 Graham Henry
6/1 Joe Schmidt
10/1 John Kirwan
16/1 Jake White
16/1 Clive Woodward
20/1 Dean Ryan
20/1 Dean Richards
20/1 Richard Cockerill
25/1 Warren Gatland
25/1 Toby Booth
25/1 Ian McGeechan
25/1 Conor O'Shea
33/1 BAR
Odds provided by Bet365.com bookmakers, who provide a variety of sports specials betting markets.
Posted: Wednesday, 16th November 2011
Author: Chris James
Tags: england rugby coach, graham henry, clive woodward, bet365,
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