Northampton No.8 Roger Wilson believes Jim Mallinder has the right credentials to go on to lead England.
No.8 claims Mallinder has the credentials to coach England
Northampton No.8 Roger Wilson believes Saints director of rugby Jim Mallinder has the right credentials to go on to lead England.
Mallinder has been touted as a serious contender for a role with England should current boss Martin Johnson decide to step down after a disappointing World Cup.
Johnson's contract is up next month and is under increasing pressure following England's quarter-final exit at the hands of France.
Mallinder certainly has the pedigree to step up, having previously guided Sale to the Parker Pen Shield before impressive stints with England Under-21s and the Saxons.
His time at Northampton has seen him turn the Saints into one of Europe's top clubs, with Mallinder having taking over the reins in 2007 following their relegation from the top-flight.
And Wilson, who was signed by Mallinder from Ulster in 2008, is unsurprised that the Saints chief has been linked to the top job.
"He would definitely be a candidate," Wilson told
skysports.com.
"His record since he has been at the Saints, and even before that whether it is the Saxons, Under-21s or whoever, has been outstanding.
"I wouldn't be surprised at all if he was added to the mix."
Wilson highlights the way Mallinder deals with his players as key to his success.
"A lot of the times you can have good players but they don't come together too well as a group but I think Jim man-manages the squad well and unifies the players," he said.
Buzz
"Himself and Dorian West as coaches are of the old school, amateur ethos way of thinking where you can treat the players as grown-ups and let them do what they want to do like have a few beers together as long as whenever you arrive at the training ground you put in the effort in and you are fully focused.
"You know as a player that you need to do your stuff and talking on the pitch to be selected and that is good for the squad.
"I think that treating players as adults rather than schoolboys is good for the environment of the squad and there is a good buzz.
"Man-management is something Jim is very good at and to me that is key."
While underlining Mallinder's credentials, Wilson is refusing to let his own spell in the international wilderness affect him.
Wilson was dubbed by experienced coach
Alan Solomons, who has worked with the likes of South Africa, Barbarians, Ulster and Northampton, as "massively underrated", but he has won just the solitary cap for Ireland - against Japan in 2005.
And while disappointed at being continually overlooked, the 30-year-old is focusing on enjoying life at Franklin's Gardens.
"It is frustrating but at the same time I could be in a lot worse position," he admitted.
"I do believe I am good enough to play for Ireland but it is very much out of my hands.
"I am playing at a successful team and I am enjoying it, so I don't really worry too much about it although it can get frustrating."
Roger Wilson was speaking at the launch of the Gatorade G Series Pro range, a new series of sports performance products that fuel athletes before, during and after workout, practice or competition. Available to buy in stores from November 20th, follow @GatoradeUK for more information.
