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Surprise development at Harlequins as Codling exits just two games into new league season

Alex Codling won't be coaching Kyle Sinckler when the prop returns to Harlequins following the World Cup final (Photo by Christopher Lee/Getty Images for Harlequins FC)

Harlequins’ early-season optimism has suffered a setback with assistant coach Alex Codling parting company with the club just matches into the new Gallagher Premiership campaign.

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The Londoners followed up an opening weekend 22-19 defeat at Exeter by beating Bristol 22-17 in their second game last weekend, but they now face into Friday’s trip to Northampton one staff member down following Codling’s strangely timed departure.  

In a brief statement that ran to just over 50 words on Wednesday afternoon, Harlequins said: “Harlequins coach Alex Codling has parted company with the club.

“Codling has worked as the club’s forwards coach since June 2018 and was a key part of the coaching team last season.

“As Alex leaves to pursue other opportunities, Harlequins thanks him for his hard work and wish him every success in the future.”

(Continue reading below…)

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It is a curious development to lose a coach just weeks into the new Premiership season following the lengthy pre-season brought about by the World Cup being on in Japan. 

Director of rugby Paul Gustard enjoyed a positive first season in charge at the Stoop, guiding the club from 10th to a fifth-place finish. However, he told RugbyPass before his second season got started that he was aiming way higher second time around.   

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“I don’t want to be fifth. I don’t want to be sitting mid-table,” he said. “I want to be pushing towards the top and trying to win things. Until we are in that kind of situation, I’ll forever feel disappointed that we didn’t get in the top four and give ourselves a fighting chance.”

WATCH: Paul Gustard sat down with RugbyPass, Johan Ackermann and Declan Kidney ahead of the new Gallagher Premiership season  

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O
Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
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