Head Coaches at the 2021 RWC
It’s revealing to see how many of the twelve head coaches involved in the 2021 RWC are still in place:
Australia – Jay Tregonning
Canada – Kevin Rouet
England – Simon Middleton
Fiji – Senirusi Seruvakula
France – Annick Hayraud (Retired)
Italy – Andrea Di Giandomenico (Retired)
Japan – Lesley McKenzie
New Zealand – Wayne Smith (Retired)
Scotland – Bryan Easson
South Africa – Stanley Raubenheimer (Retired)
USA – Rob Cain (Resigned)
Wales – Ioan Cunningham
Yes, Rob Cain is standing down from leading the Eagles.
So, as of 3 January 2023 five have moved on. I think we can safely assume that Cain has not decided to don his carpet slippers and ease his time away; less so the other four retirees.
One or two of those still in office face an uncertain future, Simon Middleton above all. The 2023 Six Nations is now a mere twelve weeks away. Any change of cast the RFU might have in mind will leave a new incumbent with precious little time to decide on a squad and get to know them.
Of all the possible candidates whose names have been flying around, one has not been mentioned: Cain himself. He is very familiar with the English set-up and the Premier 15s in particular. A lot of water has flowed under the bridge since he left Saracens for the States in 2018, but he would need much less time to get his feet under the table than any other potential overseas candidate.
But there are some of us who think it would be only right and proper for any successor to Middleton to be a woman. The names of Giselle Mather and Jo Yapp must surely rank high in any list of candidates.
