Clive Woodward urges the Welsh Rugby Union to consider Sam Warburton as director of rugby, to oversee the national team like Rassie Erasmus did with the Springboks.
Writing for the UK’s Daily Mail, Woodward advocates for both Wales and England to adopt a coaching structure similar to SA Rugby under Erasmus and Jacques Nienaber from 2020 to 2023.
He cites the need for strong leadership alongside head coach Warren Gatland during a challenging period for Welsh rugby, and points to England boss Steve Borthwick’s inexperience at international level and suggests he needs experienced support.
Woodward argues that neither the RFU’s Bill Sweeney and Conor O’Shea, nor the WRU’s Nigel Walker possess the necessary Test rugby expertise.
“I would urge Wales to look at the great Sam Warburton as someone to consider,” Woodward writes.
“The best example of the success that an international team can have by employing a strong director of rugby is South Africa. Having won back-to-back World Cups, the Springboks have had unprecedented joy with Rassie Erasmus working alongside Jacques Nienaber.
“They have created a system that totally prioritises the South African national side. Erasmus is now back as head coach after Nienaber joined Leinster, but I don’t think he is that hands-on.
“He oversees the operation and lets the coaches below him do the work.
“Both England and Wales could learn a lot from the way the Springboks have gone about things.”
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Photo: Twitter/@Springboks
