LONDON – Current Wallaby Coach Michael Cheika has adamantly refused any notion that he would replace Stuart Lancaster as England Coach.
A tough few months for the RFU looks like it will get worse before it gets better for the England side after Stuart Lancaster left the coaching post by “mutual consent” last Wednesday.
And with Cheika strongly denying any links to the vacant coaching role, there doesn’t seem to be any end in sight to surely one of the most tumultuous eras of English Rugby.
With Michael Cheika certainly having the credentials to take over a flailing England side, especially after guiding the Wallabies to the Rugby World Cup Final just 12 months after taking over in the position, he was a long shot for the RFU at best.
Not one to mince his words, Cheika was adamant that he wouldn’t even consider it whilst speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live.
“I’m an Australian coaching Australia. It’s the dream. There is nothing that would change my mind,” he said.
“No-one has contacted me, and they know they can’t contact me because I’m committed to Australia.”
After the powers that be at the RFU boldly proclaimed last Wednesday that they would search far and wide to find England’s next coach, the likes of South Africa Jake White, Australian Eddie Jones and New Zealanders Wayne Smith and Dave Rennie have all been linked with the role.
It is an issue that the RFU could deal without as the team for 6 Nations needs to be selected in just eight weeks.