Ford Linked With League
England defence coach Mike Ford is reportedly being considered for the England rugby league head coach’s job, threatening Martin Johnson’s intentions to keep his management team in place for the Six Nations.
Former Oldham, Castleford and Wakefield scrum-half Ford is thought to be in contention to succeed Tony Smith, who resigned from the post following the Gillette Four Nations final.
A highly-placed Twickenham insider reported “gentle enquiries” have been made into Ford’s availability by a four-man panel set up to find a replacement for Smith by the Rugby Football League.
The RFL are likely to fill the post before the Super League season commences in February, which also coincides with the opening round of the Six Nations fixtures.
Martin Johnson
England have scored just one try in the November series in their unconvincing victory over Argentina, and failed to touch down against Australia and New Zealand.
Ford’s position could be under threat with Twickenham’s director of elite rugby Rob Andrew set to launch a review into the troubled autumn series amid demands for a shake-up of Johnson’s management team.
Johnson’s staff came under fire ahead of England’s 19-6 defeat to New Zealand, but the manager has insisted he wants to keep his coaching team together and hailed them for the way they had coped with a “tough week” of criticism.
“That group of coaches have done a tremendous job this week under huge pressure,” said Johnson.
“If you don’t play well you get criticised, but a lot of it has gone over the top and is unnecessary.
“We came into the series with a lot of disruption. We were sitting there in October with nearly half our squad down.
“I am proud of the effort the players put in all week and everything the coaches have done.
“Absolutely this is the team I want for the Six Nations.”