MightyRearranger wrote: ↑Fri Apr 15, 2022 9:25 pm
Listening to the Bristol v Sale match in the background on the radio and they had Dan McFarland on for an interview at half time. Couple of interesting things in terms of his history and how things were going at Ulster, but they also asked about how he felt about never being on anyone there's radar with respect to the England coaching set-up. They were basically saying that they felt he should be up there and were asking about why he felt that might be and how he felt about it as an Englishman that's been working elsewhere for so long.
He gave a very philosophic answer, but mentioning it here as it's not something I'd even considered before. I've more or less been assuming that Rob Baxter is the heir apparent for the England job, but if that was to not happen for whatever reason I'm not too sure who'd be behind him. Based on the job he's done at Ulster over the last number of seasons, he maybe would deserve to be in the discussion?
I think Borthwick has been lined up for the England job but Dan was asked a very similar question this week on the BBC podcast with Care and Monye.
A tabloid journo would no doubt have used the phrase “issued a come-and-get me plea” in his summary of the interview.
Vovlo, would agree 100% with your humble opinion. Would be very keen on getting Dan to stay beyond 2023. Can also understand why he should be in the England discussion, but as Justin73 says, Baxter and Borthwick would be ahead of him, not least as they know the relevant players a lot better. Post-Jones, that will be considered to be an important factor, irrespective of its actual relevance.
As the IRFU have found in trying to replace van Graan, good coaches are well worth hanging on to. And from what I've read, Dan has been long enough in Ireland to consider it worth staying here. But, improving the Ulster squad further will help no end.
Really hope Dan extends his contract. Who wouldn't want to be at the helm of ulster's best years ahead? Our backline will only get better but we need izzy, mccann, reid, and Stewart to push on and become regular 1st team squad members. A bolter or 2 from the u20s would be nice as well. Hendo was making a point of the teams leaders being under 25, Dan would be foolish to let someone else reap the reward of what he has put in.
Do we really want a head coach with zero experience in the role? I wouldn’t.
If Dan leaves, we should not be doing the usual UR “worldwide search” of NI but should bust the bank for the best possible head coach available.
StandUp wrote:Do we really want a head coach with zero experience in the role? I wouldn’t.
If Dan leaves, we should not be doing the usual UR “worldwide search” of NI but should bust the bank for the best possible head coach available.
