/ 4 November 2007

White in talks with England rugby chiefs

World Cup-winning South Africa coach Jake White has held talks with England rugby chiefs, his agent told the Sunday Times newspaper.

White guided South Africa to a 15-6 victory over England in the World Cup final at the Stade de France in Paris on October 20 and announced on Wednesday that he would quit his post in December, accusing Springbok bosses of bouncing him out of the job.

”They [England] have been in touch,” White’s agent Craig Livingstone told the Sunday Times.

”England are busy with the [post-World Cup] review process and then they will make a decision.

”We have expressed an interest [in the England job] and so have they. We’ve been talking to Rob Andrew [Rugby Football Union director of elite rugby].”

The RFU have yet to decide if they want to keep coach Brian Ashton, though they remain publicly supportive of the coach.

Soon after arriving back in South Africa with the Webb Ellis trophy, White said: ”England is probably one job most international coaches wouldn’t mind taking because it’s a power that can become a huge force. They have a great rugby culture.”

England have never hired a foreign head coach.

Meanwhile, four candidates have been shortlisted to take White’s place, SA Rugby confirmed last week.

They are: Alistair Coetzee (currently one of White’s assistants), Pieter de Villiers (national under-21 coach), Heyneke Meyer (Bulls head coach) and Chester Williams (1995 World Cup winner). – Sapa-AFP