Alex King backed to transform England if given job of skills coach by Eddie Jones

Northampton's Alex King is vying for the role of England skills coach with Exeter's Ali Hepher

 

NORTHAMPTON'S Alex King has been backed to transform England if he is given the job of skills coach.

 

King, who is vying for the role with Exeter's Ali Hepher, struggled to get the Saints backline moving in the early part of the season but he is rated as one of the shrewdest rugby brains around by England forward and ex-Wasps team-mate James Haskell.

"I played with Kingo a lot. He was one of the best fly-halves that didn't get a real run with England and a top, top guy," said Haskell.

"He went away quietly to learn his trade at Clermont and everyone loved him in France and they're not that easy to please, the French. He's very highly regarded at Northampton and he's very clever at what he does.

 

James Haskell of London Wasps regards King as one of the shrewdest brains in rugby

"If he gets an opportunity he could be the man to go on and do really, really good things."

While the Saints took on Racing 92 last night in a do-or-die European Champions Cup tie, Haskell was preparing for an equally important meeting with Bath today for his Wasps side.

Sunday's injury-time victory at the Ricoh Arena maintained Bath's unbeaten record in the competition this season.

"Unfortunately that last minute cost us but, going to Bath it's all in our hands," insisted Haskell.

 

"I don't think that loss burst any bubble. Against Bath we didn't have the composure. It was our over-eagerness to play the brand of rugby we've been enjoying this season cost us a little bit.

"We played way too much rugby in our half and we need to rectify that because Bath are one of the best sides in the Premiership, no doubt. They can be the most dangerous when they attack space."

Cardiff Blues have signed ex-Wallaby prop Salesi Ma'afu after he was released by Toulon following an assault conviction on a woman.

Italy hooker Leonardo Ghiraldini will leave Leicester at the end of the season to join Toulouse on a three-year contract.