According to the gossip that I have heard, apparently the choice of Goulding was influenced by the cheeky midget's claim in his application to be a highly qualified and prize winning master chef with specialisation in gourmet French food.

According to knowledgable sources, the tirelessly hard working secretary general of the French Federation, M. Dalongueville, upon reading this at 3pm one Tuesday afternoon, while seated at Taillevent on 15 Rue Lamennais, in the 8th arrondissement, was alleged to have suddenly ceased sipping from his glass of cognac for several minutes, awe struck and ecstatic, and then screamed out "Merci mon Dieu!"

Dalongueville promptly shelved the planned routine consideration of Mr Goulding's proficiency in the French language -- or lack thereof-- and called his nominal superior, M. Nicolas Larrat, to strongly recommend the Goulding appointment on grounds of profound cultural affinity.

It would be an improvement!

Goulding's first French interview!!! http://timesonline.typepad.com/rugby_le ... .html#more

Goulding's first French interview!!! http://timesonline.typepad.com/rugby_le ... .html#more

There we go then ---CLEARLY FACT

Canyoubelieveit wrote:Goulding's first French interview!!! http://timesonline.typepad.com/rugby_le ... .html#more omg lmao@that pic of goulding

Canyoubelieveit wrote:Goulding's first French interview!!! http://timesonline.typepad.com/rugby_le ... .html#more omg lmao@that pic of goulding

Oops, my bad

I wonder if there was a clause in his St Maries contract allowing him to go??

Completely bizarre decision. Maybe someone at the RFL was worried about England finishing fourth this year or was having a little joke with the French? Hope it turns out well, but I don't expect it to.

I was at primary school with him and even at the age of 7 or 8 he was obviously destined for great things in RL - abundant natural talent plus several hours a day practising stuff with his dad.

Not speaking the language may help him stay out of trouble? He certainly will put the effort in - not for Bobby the relaxed living by the beach John Monie coaching style. It'll be us against the world type fire-em-up type stuff which may suit the French players. Doubt it though.

I fear the international game witll suffer with this shocking appointment, he did nothing in a poor league, now he's officially the least intelligent professional coach in RL.

I love his comment "All those people who doubted me, all those people who knocked me in the last couple of years, they've got egg on their faces now "

Why have they egg on their faces, you'll come bottom of the 4 Nations and be sacked after a player revolt, then who'd have egg on their faces? I really really cannot understand this appointment

That's always going to happen - whoever is the coach. Still - it is a strange appointment.