Saracens coach Farrell surprisingly named in Six Nations coaching set-up

By Chris Foy for the Daily Mail
Updated: 11:59 EST, 8 December 2011

England have confirmed their emergency coaching line-up for the Six Nations today - with Andy Farrell the surprise inclusion to join the rebuilding process.

After the shambolic World Cup campaign, the RFU are attempting to revive the England team with a new-look set-up headed by interim coach Stuart Lancaster. 

The Saxons coach will step into the shoes of Martin Johnson on a temporary basis, who quit after seeing his side knocked out by France in the quarter-finals.

England expects: Andy Farrell is set for a role in England's coaching team for the Six Nations

Scrum's the word: Graham Rowntree has retained his role in the England set-up

England's campaign in New Zealand was also riddled with scandals off the pitch, with Mike Tindall later fined for his now infamous drinking session.

Lancaster will be assisted by scrum coach Graham Rowntree, who is one of the minority to hold on to the role he had at the World Cup.

Lancaster said: 'All three of us are really excited about the opportunity ahead. Andrew has done an outstanding job at Saracens and the Saxons; Graham has enormous respect from the players and has vast experience and I am confident that we can work well together as a coaching team.

Main man: Stuart Lancaster

'The World Cup was enormously disappointing but we shouldn’t forget that England won 10 out of 13 games this year and a Six Nations title. We have a promising group of players to go forward with and the challenge for Graham, Andy and myself is to get the best out of them.'

As Sportsmail reported, there are no positions for either John Wells or  Mike Ford, who were key members of Johnson's set-up.

The move that will raise eyebrows is the RFU's decision to bring in Saracens coach Andy Farrell as backs coach, while also allowing him to split his duties between club and country.

RFU acting chief executive Stephen Brown said: 'It was important that, following the recommendations of the Professional Game Board and the commitment we made as an RFU Board last week to implement them, an Interim Head Coach was appointed as soon as possible.

'Stuart is not only an experienced coach but his role as Head of Elite Player Development puts him at the forefront of producing international players.

Out with the old: Martin Johnson quits his role last month after the World Cup

'He will be well supported by Graham, with all his experience with England and the British Lions and Andy, who has helped Saracens become one of the leading clubs in the country and we are grateful to them for allowing Andy to join us on a temporary basis.

'We believe this coaching team is the right one to collectively take England forward in the short term.'

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