Rugby World Cup
Conor O'Shea: England must be open to move on from dismal Rugby World Cup
PA Sport
November 13, 2015

Conor O'Shea believes England must vent their frustrations and "get the crap out onto the table" to repair the trust shattered by the World Cup failure.

Harlequins boss O'Shea backed full-back Mike Brown's comments that he no longer trusts his England colleagues after a series of leaked stories following their disappointing World Cup showing.

Brown's remarks will make for interesting conversations when England meet in the new year to start preparations for the Six Nations.

But O'Shea still insists Brown was right to break ranks and criticise other squad members for allowing behind-the-scenes events -- such as the allegation that kit man Dave Tennison offered players bad financial advice -- to leak out.

"If you don't get the crap out onto the table you will never move on," O'Shea said. "That is the best way to break the ice. From Browny's point of view, before he went to do the interview he said 'I have something to say and I will say it'.

"And fair play. They can move on very easily -- they get together, don't over-egg it, far from it, embrace it. Mike Brown was 100 per cent right to say what he did. I wish a lot of people would say what they feel.

"Dick Best used to coach here and one of his great sayings was 'you bury your own dead'. It just does my head in when people are emotional and they open their mouth. I can guarantee if you ask our players here if they enjoyed the England environment, yes they did.

"I am sure they would all make changes, everyone would with hindsight. Maybe not stay in the hotel the whole time; you do this and that, but don't comment about things."

Mike Brown during Harlequins European Champions Cup clash with Montpellier
Mike Brown during Harlequins European Champions Cup clash with Montpellier© Dan Mullan/Getty Images

The Rugby Football Union (RFU) will hope to have a new head coach in place by the time England start their Six Nations preparations early next year.

Stuart Lancaster relinquished his head coach role by mutual consent on Wednesday, sparking a global search for a replacement of "proven international experience".

Former South Africa coach Jake White has signalled his interest in the role, despite failing with three previous applications for jobs with the RFU. The 2007 World Cup-winning coach has insisted he can win the World Cup for England, but will not subject himself to another arduous selection process.

England could yet turn to Wales boss Warren Gatland to replace Lancaster, but would need to agree a seven-figure release clause with the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU).

Gatland and assistant coach Shaun Edwards may represent a prized double act for the RFU. Edwards has insisted he is continuing talks for a new contract with Wales.

Former Ireland full-back O'Shea believes whoever takes the England helm will not face an in-fighting crisis ahead of the Six Nations.

"I 100 per cent think Mike was right, I could not be clearer that people who play together, it is a very special bond and you don't break that trust," said O'Shea.

"We don't have a dressing room camera, and we're one of the only clubs that doesn't do that. That is a sanctuary, a special place. I sat in the dressing room in Lens when Ireland lost to Argentina in 1999 and I know how low that place was.

"What happens there should never be revealed. You look back on it and it will be a low. But you know something, it will be something you have shared with special people. I couldn't agree with Mike more."

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