England Rugby
Mallett praise for Lancaster
ESPNscrum Staff
March 29, 2012
Former South Africa and Italy coach Nick Mallett, Southern Hemisphere XV training session, Help for Heroes Rugby Challenge, Twickenham, England, December 2, 2011
Nick Mallett was passed over for the England job in favour of Stuart Lancaster © Getty Images
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Players/Officials: Stuart Lancaster | Nick Mallett
Teams: England

Nick Mallett was quick to offer praise to new England coach Stuart Lancaster after being beaten to the Twickenham hotseat.

Former South Africa and Italy coach Mallett was long considered the favourite to succeed Martin Johnson as the permanent England boss but Lancaster, who impressed in an interim role by guiding England to second place in this year's Six Nations, was given the nod after the pair had been interviewed last week.

In a statement issued by his management company, Mallett, 55, said: "I would like to congratulate Stuart Lancaster on his appointment as England Rugby head coach. I am sure he will continue to build on the good work he has done with the team in the aftermath of a difficult World Cup for them."

He added: "Having presented to an RFU panel and had personal meetings with RFU chief executive Ian Ritchie in England last week, I believe the process was conducted in the most professional manner.

"I gave it my best shot and was glad to be able to discuss my feelings and philosophy on how I'd have coached the team.

"With the speculation around the England head coach position now out of the way, I am looking forward to sitting down and looking at other opportunities in the world of rugby with my representative Craig Livingstone at Prosport International."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

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