Nick Mallett's the man to lift England out of the doldrums, says John Smit

10 April 2012

John Smit, the World Cup-winning South Africa captain, believes Nick Mallett could revive England's rugby fortunes if Martin Johnson does opt to resign as team manager later this week, after less than four years in the job.

It is looking increasingly likely that Johnson will quit as the furore over Mike Tindall's behaviour during the failed World Cup campaign in New Zealand continues to dominate the headlines.

Johnson's decision to defend Tindall - who refused to apologise in public for his drunken antics with a former girlfriend - was a serious error of judgment, one that the former World Cup-winning captain now realises has undermined his position.

Tindall was last week fined £25,000 and thrown out of the England squad, effectively ending his 75-cap Test career. Tindall is appealing against those decisions and his legal advisors are unhappy that the appeal hearing will involve Martyn Thomas, acting RFU chief executive, who instigated the in-house investigation by the Union and said at the time of the incidents: "The off-field performances have been wholly unacceptable."

If Johnson does tell Twickenham chiefs he is not going to seek a new contract at the end of this year - the powerful Professional Game Board meet on Thursday to examine the report on England's Cup challenge - Mallett, the ex-Springbok and Italy coach, will be favourite to take over.

However, it is clear that Mallett would insist on reporting directly to the RFU management board rather than Rob Andrew, the performance director, whose own position is under increasing scrutiny.

Senior figures in the RFU are asking why Andrew did not take some of the pressure off Johnson when the Tindall incident blew up, followed by a series of other damaging problems, including ball-tampering and lewd comments to a hotel worker by two other players.

With Shaun Edwards signing a new contract as the Wales defence coach until after the 2015 World Cup, another possible coaching option for England has disappeared making a move for Mallett even more imperative.

Smith, who made a try scoring debut for Saracens in their 42-17 Heineken Cup win over Treviso yesterday, said: "Nick was my first Springbok coach and went out on a limb to pick me at hooker and what you get from him is tremendous tenacity and competitiveness. He has a huge drive for the game and it spreads through the people he works with. Nothing is taken for granted and that includes a game of touch rugby or a Test match.

"Everything is flat out with Nick and he gets the best out of people because he is so driven. Everywhere he has gone as a coach he has done well.

"There are not too many coaches who can look back and have achieved what Nick has in his career already. Any coach like Nick who is available would be an option for England if they decide a job is there. And after doing a good job with Italy, he will be looking for a new challenge."

Missing out on Edwards is a blow to England and, once again, Wales have come up with a package that will allow the former rugby league star to keep busy when not involved with the Welsh squad.

It is understood that Edwards will be working for one day a week with an English Premiership side - most probably Bath where Sir Ian McGeechan, the former Wasps director of rugby, is in charge.

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