England’s bid to replace Aled Walters could be derailed by Premiership clubs

Phil Morrow, one of the key contributors to Saracens’ title-winning dynasty, has been identified as England’s first choice to succeed Aled Walters as their new head of strength and conditioning – but his appointment appears to lie in the hands of their Premiership rivals, Telegraph Sport can reveal.

It is understood that Morrow, who previously held a similar position with Ireland and a key role in Warren Gatland’s British and Irish Lions coaching team on the tour of New Zealand in 2007, is in advanced talks with the Rugby Football Union and could be in place ahead of the autumn Test series in November.

However, Saracens are thought to be keen to retain the services of Morrow, who currently holds the position of the club’s group general manager and performance director and recently signed a new four-year contract..

Conflict of interest concerns

A solution has been put forward for Morrow to take up a joint role where he would be released by the club to work with England during the international windows while honouring his Saracens’ contract, as a gesture to the new collaboration approach under the professional game agreement signed earlier this month between the RFU and the clubs.

However, given that a combined role could be seen as a potential conflict of interest as it would involve the oversight of individual development programmes for England players on enhanced elite player squad contracts, it will almost certainly require the acquiescence of the other Premiership clubs.

It is understood Premiership Rugby’s investor board, which represents the clubs, was informed of the RFU’s approach to Morrow on Thursday and it seems its response will determine whether the appointment can be rubber-stamped. A decision is expected within a couple of days.

With England’s first training camp just a couple of weeks away, Steve Borthwick, the head coach, is no doubt keen for a swift resolution and is thought to be eager to make a presentation to the clubs about the role Morrow will play.

‘Best in his field’

Borthwick has at least moved to replace the outgoing Tom Tombleson as a strength and conditioning coach by recruiting Dan Tobin from Gloucester, and the RFU confirmed on Thursday that England’s new defence coach Joe El-Abd will combine his duties as Oyonnax’s director of rugby until the end of the season.

But Morrow would be seen as a key appointment, given his highly influential role at Saracens which goes far beyond the remit of strength and conditioning. He joined the club in 2011, having been head of fitness with Ireland, as one of Mark McCall’s first appointments when he took over as director of rugby.

McCall and Morrow had previously worked together at Ulster, with McCall describing him as the “best in his field”.

During Morrow’s time at the club, which overlapped with Borthwick for the latter’s last three years there, Saracens won five Premiership titles and three Champions Cups. His remit was expanded last year to encompass recruitment as well as conditioning and other management responsibilities.

A key responsibility for any Walters replacement will be working closely with Borthwick on the strength-and-conditioning programmes of players involved in the wider EPS. Sources have indicated over the summer that strong administrative skills as well as a profound knowledge of the English club game would be vital to this role; attributes which Morrow possesses.

Part of the new PGP gives Borthwick final say on all sports science and medical matters relating to players selected to receive an enhanced Elite Player Squad (EPS) contract, with up to 25 set to receive those deals in the coming weeks.

This month, Telegraph Sport revealed firstly that Tobin will replace the outgoing Tombleson as a strength and conditioning coach and then that El-Abd will join Tobin on Borthwick’s staff as defence coach.

Borthwick has been forced to act swiftly following the shock resignations of two of his prized staff members within weeks of each other over the summer. Felix Jones, England’s former defence coach, will continue to work on a remote basis from his home in Dublin and will not be allowed to join another international team before the end of his 12-month notice period.

Walters, a close friend of Jones who departed England’s coaching staff just weeks previously, will begin a new role as head of athletic performance with the Ireland men’s team later this year.