Five likely candidates to succeed Jim Mallinder as Northampton rugby director
Saints have taken action during what has been a dismal season and will embark on a global search in their quest for a replacement
Aviva Premiership club Northampton have sacked their rugby director Jim Mallinder after 10 years in charge at Franklin’s Gardens.
Here, Press Association Sport looks at five possible candidates who could be in the frame to replace him.
STUART LANCASTER
The former England head coach is currently part of Leinster’s coaching team. Lancaster resigned as national team boss in November 2015 following a miserable World Cup campaign when England failed to survive the pool stage.
MIKE FORD
Ex-Bath boss Ford also had a lengthy spell as England defence coach, in addition to heading up the coaching team at French heavyweights Toulon. He is currently coaching in the United States.
South Africa’s 2007 World Cup-winning boss pretty much finds himself linked with every top job that becomes available. His pedigree is an outstanding one, and it would be no surprise if he featured prominently in Northampton’s thoughts.
RICHARD COCKERILL
Would be a huge outsider, given Cockerill’s long playing and coaching connection with Saints’ fierce midlands rivals Leicester, but he could be just what they need to shake things up. The former England hooker is currently doing an impressive job at Edinburgh.
Like Lancaster, Robinson is an ex-England head coach. He led Bath to European Cup glory in 1998, has also coached Scotland and was latterly in charge at Bristol. He is also currently available.
