The RFU's naivety continues. The wretchedness of a year ago on and off the field may have ended but actually what has changed?
Why was there such a rush to appoint Stuart Lancaster as coach for three years? Why wasn't he given this year to prove himself? As it we lost a three test series away to South Africa by 2-0 with a draw in the Summer and after three matches we have beaten Fiji and somehow conspired to lose against Australia nd South Africa and no-one would bet on us beating New Zealand this Saturday.
To be fair we almost won a Grand Slam earlier in the year but all that shows is how far the six nations is behind the southern hemisphere as a tournament despite record crowds, gates and revenues.
Scotland and Wales have struggled. Ireland has been a bit hit and miss. England have won so much ball but have little idea what to do with it and there's no threequarter who knows where the try line is.
If I was a betting man I'd check on Nick Mallett's availability. He did afterall have an England trial in 1980.