Conor O'Shea says England have 'outstanding' crop of young players
Thursday 12 November 2015 22:48, UK
Conor O'Shea believes the next England head coach will inherit an "outstanding crop of young players" and is confident the team's fortunes will turn around quickly.
The Harlequins director of rugby was part of the panel that selected Stuart Lancaster, who stepped down "by mutual consent" on Wednesday morning after taking full responsibility for England's Rugby World Cup failure.
The RFU has stated it is looking for candidates with "proven international experience", with Nick Mallett, Jake White, Eddie Jones and Michael Cheika all reportedly on the shortlist.
White, who steered his native South Africa to World Cup glory in 2007, is now Montpellier coach and has admitted he is keen on the role, although he told Sky Sports before his side's clash with O'Shea's Quins clash on Thursday night there had been no approach as yet.
"Nothing has happened, I haven't got any calls or anything so I just need to get on with my job," said White, who is keen to avoid the "rigmarole" of his previous applications in 2008 and 2012.
"If the RFU thinks I am the man for the job and there wasn't going to be any rigmarole of going through the whole process which I have before then I would be a contender."
But O'Shea says that whoever gets the job will have plenty to work with in preparation for the 2019 tournament.
"There's huge clamour for a big name, but it's nothing to do with that," O'Shea told Sky Sports ahead of the Challenge Cup clash.
"The state of English rugby is strong, there is a truck load of good young players. I could list a team that would be mouthwatering and that's without putting much thought into it.
"Things will change very quickly, a new person will be put in charge and I think everyone should say thank you to Stuart for the efforts he put in and wish him well for the future.
"It should be the best man for the job, whether that be English or not. They need to understand there is an outstanding crop of young players. There are going to be people with battle scars from this World Cup and who experienced a lot of things that will stand them in good stead as well.
"I'm always positive, I know that English rugby will turn things around pretty quickly, but hopefully the Irish will be a step ahead!"
