Mallinder set for talks with England boss Jones
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Jim Mallinder
Northampton director of rugby Jim Mallinder is set to meet England boss Eddie Jones next week to discuss his controversial approach for Saints assistant coach Alex King. Mallinder recently accused the English Rugby Football Union of making an unofficial approach for King and, speaking after Northampton’s 8-3 win over Exeter on Friday, he said he still doesn’t know any more about the move.
Jones met with King before Christmas after identifying him as his potential attack coach, having already adding scrum coach Ian Peel to his backroom staff following the appointments of Steve Borthwick and Paul Gustard. Mallinder said the club had still not had any contact from the RFU and added: “Eddie is coming back next week and coming into the club to see me for a chat, so hopefully I will know a bit more then.”
Jones is also believed to be keen on naming Dylan Hartley as England captain, but Mallinder admitted the 29-year-old has a fight on his hands to win a starting place at Northampton after picking Mike Haywood ahead of him and then seeing the academy product score the only try of the game against Exeter in an impressive performance.
“Mike Haywood was a big call, to start him above Dylan – but again he showed what he can do,” Mallinder said.
“Mikey, over the last few years, has played well for us. When we won the Premiership Mikey was a massive part of that and started when we won the final. ”We are absolutely delighted we have got two players like them and when Dylan came on he was excellent as well.”