Blow for England rugby plans as Andy Farrell stays with Saracens
12/04/2012
New England coach Stuart Lancaster has had his hopes of keeping his Six Nations coaching team together on a permanent basis dashed by Andy Farrell.
Farrell was one of Lancaster's assistants during the campaign, but has opted to stay at club side Saracens rather than commit to the national set-up.
Rugby Football Union (RFU) chief executive Ian Ritchie said: "While Andy was clearly an important part of the coaching team during the course of the RBS Six Nations, we fully respect his wishes to continue as a coach at Saracens."
Fans booking hospitality packages for this autumn's QBE Internationals may have their own views about who might join Lancaster and his forward coach Graham Rowntree in the new regime.
One development that has pleased the new head coach is the announcement that BMW will be the RFU's new Official Vehicle Partner from this September.
Lancaster said the sponsorship money will provide a "massive boost" to the development of players at various age group levels, which could help provide more top-class players for England in the years ahead.
By Liz Johnstone