WITH the RFU due to announce the new elite performance director shortly, it seems that my regular line to Rob Andrew, my Newcastle Falcons director of rugby and one of the two left in the frame for the England job, may soon be cut off.
At Newcastle it would be a massive change if Rob were to leave and I find myself reflecting on the day in the school Easter holidays ten years ago when I first met him. I was invited to Kingston Park, a wide-eyed schoolboy given the opportunity to take part in a kicking session with Rob and Dave Alred, the former England kicking coach. I felt that day like someone who had just won a competition.
Since then, my relationship with Rob has gone through many stages. When I went to Newcastle as a young player the next year, Rob was a player still and an idol of mine. Initially I learnt from him by watching him play, then I learnt from playing alongside him.
Throughout those early years, he was influential in making sure I settled in and that I was not overawed. In my main international years, 1999-2003, he was a guide and counsel to me. Thereafter, we have been more side by side, talking about where Newcastle should be going, how we should be playing.
I’ve seen so much of him in that time and learnt so much from him, he has been on a level with Sir Clive Woodward as the prime influence on my career. The irony, of course, is that it now seems that it is just Rob and Clive going head to head for this England job.
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Clive’s suitability for that job is well-known. I don’t think it shows lack of conviction to say that I think Rob would do it extremely well, too. I actually think that the RFU is in the rare position where it is lucky to have such strength from which to make its choice. These are two people for whom I have massive respect; the case histories of both are stunning.
Clive has got the desire to stick his neck out and is not afraid of being different. For England to be the best, we need that; we have to make the tough decisions. Meanwhile, I know Rob for his openness, his flexibility and his willingness to take on board new ideas. Rob also has a ruthless streak, a desire to strive for the best, ambition and dedication.
On reflection, although their personalities may seem miles apart, their characteristics are similar. All those years I spent travelling back and forth from the Newcastle environment to the England one, I never felt there was a culture change.
What it boils down to is accountability; this is what Clive and Rob share, the strength to take responsibility and say that the buck stops here. In playing terms, that is also what separates a good player from a great one: someone who is willing to stand tall and take a chance when the going is tough.
On further reflection, I find myself thinking that, rather than having a clash of personalities, Clive and Rob would mix extremely well. Imagine these two working together . . .
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My final thought is this: the hope that whoever gets the job genuinely gets the blank sheet of paper that the RFU has talked about and the power and the backing to incorporate the change that we know is necessary. Without that, the RFU would be wasting a great chance, as well as one of the most qualified rugby men in Britain.