THE RFU WILL enlist the help of a corporate head-hunting firm as their search for a new coach continues during the forthcoming Six Nations.
More used to seeking out CEO’s than coaches, Odgers Berndtson are the company who lend a hand in the worldwide search for Martin Johnson’s long-term successor. However, they will defer to a five-man RFU comitee for the final say.
On their website, the group describe themselves as “the UK’s pre-eminent executive search firm” and they point at a variety of sporting organisations who they have already worked with including the Premier League’s, Liverpool and Manchester United.
Acting RFU chief executive Stephen Brown told the BBC:
“Odgers will provide objectivity, advice during the assessment stages, and some practical, administrative help in what is a worldwide search.”
That worldwide search will not include former New Zealand boss, Graham Henry, who ruled himself out of the running for any full-time position in November. Jake White, winner of the previous World Cup, is sure to be in the running for the role along with the current interim coach, Stuart Lancaster. Asked about the man currently in the hotseat Brown said:
“If he (Lancaster) chooses to apply he’ll be given every consideration, it would be very positive for the RFU.”
Performance over the next five games will be crucial to Lancaster’s chances, but at least he won’t be in the dark for long as the RFU have set 17 March (when Ireland visit Twickenham for the last game of the Six Nations) as the deadline for a final decision.
Lancaster is not the only man operating in a temporary capacity at the RFU. Brown’s replacement as CEO, Ian Ritchie, will take over the role on 27 February. Ritchie is leaving his role at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club (AELTC) and has also stood down from the board at both the Football League and Wembley Stadium.
