Cooch's call – where England go wrong

You're always guaranteed a forthright answer from Gareth Chilcott, one of England's most-loved old boys. So we took the time to put English rugby's most burning current question to 'Cooch', fresh from one of his Gulliver's travel tours to Rome, asking him: What's gone wrong with England?

You're always guaranteed a forthright answer from Gareth Chilcott, one of England's most-loved old boys. So we took the time to put English rugby's most burning current question to 'Cooch', fresh from one of his Gulliver's travel tours to Rome, asking him: What's gone wrong with England?

PR: So what's your take? This was supposed to be the new dawn for English rugby. Where's it all gone wrong?!

GC: Look, you have to say that England's opening to the Six Nations is nothing less than massively disappointing. A disappointing win against Italy, and a disappointing defeat against Wales. England should be better.

But you look at that defeat against Wales – which was a real collapse – and at the second half against Italy, and you'll see, it is the decisions made on the field that are costing us, and it all stems from a lack of leadership both on and off the pitch. Tough decisions are not being made, and with the modern technology there is no excuse of mis-communication between coaches and sidelines/players.

And there are some very very odd decisions being made. Why put Danny Cipriani at centre and not Mathew Tait? Why try take Italy on at their own game. Italy came out with some mind-boggling tactics of spreading it wide… I honestly believe if they had played to strengths in the first half as well as the second, they'd have won.

But what worries me the most is this: I am not convinced it is a happy ship. It seems rudderless both on and off the field, and has seemed that way since the Rugby World Cup.

PR: So what can be done?

GC: Well, the first thing is for people in the RFU to sit back and say: 'right, this England team is a poor side.' After this World Cup, we could have come in with a clean sheet, and brought in some forward-thinkers to the mix, to develop something new.

Think about how much a team like France is going to take from this Six Nations. They will come out of it, win or lose, so much stronger.

And, if that means England have to leave Jonny Wilkinson out, then so be it. Tough calls like this need to be made for the greater good. With Jonny Wilkinson at ten, England have one way, and one way only, of playing the game. Someone relevant needs to ask if there is an alternative. A new tactic. England has a very similar situation now to when they had Rob Andrew and Stuart Barnes battling for fly-half. On the one hand, Mr. Dependable, on the other, someone who could turn a game. We need to find that alternative.

The RFU has to look very carefully at where it wants this England team to be in 18 months' time. If there are people in line for selection now who won't be then, then let's get rid of them now. Let's bring in someone with some forward-thinking to lead, let's bring in some young players and use the time to find out who's good and who's not, and let's get on with it and develop.

PR: Strong stuff. You referred to France earlier, saying even if they lose, they'll benefit. But they don't look like losing at the moment do they!

GC: I tip France to win the whole Six Nations. And it could only get better from there. They are a young side with a young coach, and it's an exciting time for them. They could go on to great things. But they could have problems this time if players get injured.

PR: Back to England though. A running theme throughout your answers here has been that of development. What is the answer there?

GC: There needs to be a bigger picture. Have a look at the sevens team – we just got beaten by Kenya? I mean come on! It's very disappointing. But why are there no more players learning their trade there?

We should be suing sevens as a development ground. Put players in front of a huge crowd and in open space where they can attack as they like and dare not miss a tackle. I know players have contracts and things, but surely we can make a plan for this? It is a breeding ground for great young talent, and it is being wasted and devalued. And why? MONEY! That attitude towards money is going to come back and bite us on the ass one day.

PR: And lastly, yourself? How is Gulliver's coming along?

GC: It's been the usual stuff this year, although a good year, it's always good to go to Paris and Rome. Rome is my favourite Six Nations place, real old school, lots of bars close by, bad toilets, and a stadium close enough that you can seee and hear how the players shout and panic still.

And obviously, with the Lions coming up next year, it is now a busy time. South Africa is a fantastic place to go tour, and to have the British and Irish Lions go there to take on the World Champions… it's all set up!

PR: Well, the best of luck with it. Cheers!

Gareth Chilcott was talking to Danny Stephens