Brian the Blessed or Coco the Clown?

Well he certainly isn't Andy Robinson and for that we should all be grateful.

How much is down to the coach and how much the players?

Well, if we look back at Brian's tenure to date, he had a good 6 Nations. The defeats against Ireland and Wales were not coaching errors, just a lack of essential fire from the players.

The tour to South Africa was an RFU cock-up, but it meant that we did not really establish a squad of 30 before the summer. The summer training did not seem to help much either. In the warm-ups we stuffed Wales 3rd XV, should have beaten France at home and then lost our way badly in Marseille - was that Brian's fault or the players'? Probably the latter.

By all accounts, Brain likes to encourage the players to be self reliant. Some, like Dayglo, are suggesting he doesn't give enough direction. Well, if he persuaded the team to start to perform, to be accountable for their actions, then you can't argue against the results he has achieved in his last 5 games.

Now is not the time to chuck him out. I don't doubt that there should be an overall Manager appointed above or alongside him. Also, the assistant coaches are not his choices. Let him pick the guys he wants to work with. Personally, I have doubts about John Wells (too fond of Donkey Cozza?) and Mike Ford (what no blitz?), although I would hate to see Wasps lose Sean Edwards.

Jake White has let it be known that he would love the job. Can he wait until the summer? Let's see how Brain does in the 6 nations then decide. Our target must be to win it, and lose no more than one match or Brian gets it.

Still, when have those buggers at the RFU ever listened to reason?