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Nick Mallett would keep England honest Posted over 12 years ago

Nick Mallett was my coach for four years with Italy and he changed us a lot in that time. We used to have one good game and then get slaughtered the next week. Nick changed Italy into a side that could compete with the top teams on a regular basis. If he were to be selected, he would bring a lot to the England job.

Don’t think that any of the nonsense that happened at the World Cup would take place with Nick. He will stop it before it even gets started. Mallett can be hard with people. He can lose his rag. He doesn’t always think before he speaks. But I would much rather have a man like Mallett who tells me off to my face, than a coach who goes behind my back.

Maybe selection was not a big issue for him in Italy, but we don’t have many players to choose from. But Mallett appointed strong, respected people to big positions. In his second year he made Alessandro Troncon assistant coach and Sergio Parisse captain.

These are good choices. Alessandro changed Italian rugby, he lives for rugby, he is really positive, he is respected. Sergio is a great captain who has the ability to play for the All Blacks. He is the key man, a leader, a force. Mallett brought them in.

Mallett was everywhere, not just a manager, but a coach, a planner, an inspirer. He spoke some French, he learned Italian, he found a way to communicate to the players. He talked about playing for the shirt, playing for the country, playing for your friends. Mallett was a great motivator and he would bring that same passion to England. I know the English and Mallett would have a team who were proud to play for their country.

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Born in Argentina of Italian lineage, Martin Castrogiovanni has won 105 caps for the Azzurri since debuting against the All Blacks in 2002. A tight head prop known for his immense power and great scrummaging technique, Castro has represented Italy in 3 Rugby World Cups. He made an immediate impact on joining the Leicester Tigers in 2006 winning the Guinness Premiership player of the year in his debut season. He has acquired a cult following at Welford Road and in addition to being one of the best props in world rugby; Castro is one of the games great characters.

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