John Mitchell: England eye ex-All Blacks boss for defence coach role
Last updated on .From the section Rugby Union
Former New Zealand boss John Mitchell is understood to be head coach Eddie Jones' number one target to replace Paul Gustard as England defence coach.
Mitchell is head coach at the Blue Bulls in Pretoria and was assistant to Clive Woodward with England between 1997 and 2000.
The 54-year-old's contract in South Africa runs until 2019, so an early release would need negotiating.
The Rugby Football Union (RFU) refused to comment when approached by the BBC.
England have been without a defence coach since Gustard's departure to Harlequins following the tour of South Africa in June.
While the Bulls have stressed Mitchell is under contract, it is believed the RFU would be prepared to pay compensation.
The RFU itself received a financial package from Quins to secure Gustard's early release from his England deal, which was due to expire after the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
Mitchell's prospective appointment would be a bold one by Jones.
A back-row forward with Waikato in his playing days, the New Zealander has built a formidable coaching CV with spells with Ireland, Wasps, the Chiefs, the Western Force, Sale and the Johannesburg-based Lions to add to his work with England and the All Blacks.
He was also the head coach of the USA Eagles as recently as 2017 before his move to Pretoria.
However, this season with the Bulls has been a chastening one, with the side winning just six out of sixteen matches and finishing bottom of the South African conference ladder.
"John Mitchell informed us that interest was shown in his services, but no formal offer has however been received," said a Bulls statement.
"The Blue Bulls Company would furthermore like to confirm that John Mitchell's contract expires on October 31, 2019."
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Mitchell is an old pal of Gatlands and cut from the same cloth, Eddie Jones is a flash in the pan type coach and his mojo with England has expired, will Ashton get game time ? Ridiculous taking Simmonds on tour and then not playing him, Cips only got 3rd test after series was gone, shame EJ hasn’t gone
On a more serious note I hope we don't see any more of these back dated drugs bans coming into rugby. Unacceptable
How ever it,s in attack where we really need to improve!!
England have very talented backs but need the right coaching to get the best out
of them!
We need to score many tries if we want to win the WC.
Having said that, there have been stories about him having issues with players in the teams he's worked with such as the Golden Lions and the US National team.
He too has difficulties relating to the media and with sponsors. Under his stewardship the AB's came third in the World Cup. His American charges managed to lose to Brazil.
Yep. All in all sounds like the right candidate for taking England forward.
With Englands resources its a shame a qualified Englishman is not available.
You would think the knobs at RFU would have learned from their mistake in appointing Jones, obviously not it seems....
1 Your Brazilian geography is poor, considering you claim your partner, like mine, is from there!
2 I don't have white skin!
3 Do you 'crush' all those you do business with or just the grapes?!
Man you're so tough!
Then as attack coach we could get Mark McCall.
After these appointments we could move EJ to press officer to talk about our glorious autumn victories!