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Elliott Smith: Lancaster in danger despite long contract

Author
Elliott Smith ,
Publish Date
Fri, 2 Oct 2015, 10:21AM
English coach Stuart Lancaster (Photosport)
English coach Stuart Lancaster (Photosport)

Elliott Smith: Lancaster in danger despite long contract

Author
Elliott Smith ,
Publish Date
Fri, 2 Oct 2015, 10:21AM

England coach Stuart Lancaster insists he has given little thought to the consequences should his men be bundled out of the World Cup by Australia this weekend.

Lancaster is already contracted outrageously until 2020 - when America could in theory be voting in President Trump for a second term - but that could mean about as much as a similar contract in the Premier League if England's tournament accreditation is revoked before time.

The English are no strangers to having the last couple of weeks of the tournament off, losing in the quarter finals in 1987, 1999 and 2011 but a pool stage departure especially in their own backyard will be met with a less than positive outlook from the powers that be.

Whether that scenario has entered Lancaster’s head this week in his down time is something only he will know.

But he says he isn’t thinking about what might happen should the Australians come out on top at Twickenham.

“There are a lot of things to play out in the next week, the next two weeks and I’m just concentrating on getting this team to be in the right place for what’s a massive game.”

Lancaster has painted the week as similar to the lead-up to their stunning win over the All Blacks in 2012, having lost to Springboks the week prior.

Lancaster has made three changes to his side for the match, with lock Joe Launchbury, number eight Ben Morgan and centre Jonathan Joseph all included.

Meanwhile, Michael Cheika has kept faith with the starting side that won their opening match against Fiji before he gave his second-stringers a run around against Uruguay.

Cheika has maintained an outlook this week of not getting involved in England’s business, but got close overnight when he suggested the hosts believe they have an advantage up front.

“I know they think we’re weak in the forwards, it’s pretty obvious – they’re saying it out loud and they’ve done it to us, stuck it to us the last couple of times”.

Radio Sport/Newstalk ZB will bring you Live Commentary of every All Blacks game with Nigel Yalden thanks to Pit Stop - your car servicing and Warrant of Fitness specialist.
All Blacks vs Georgia – Saturday 3 October - 8.00-10.00am – Cardiff

 

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