Former England hero Dean Richards believes the absent threat of relegation in the Guinness Pro14 helped Wales win the Grand Slam.
Richards, now coaching director at Newcastle Falcons, has called for the English Gallagher Premiership to be ring-fenced rather than operate with promotion and relegation.
It would have titled the balance in the Six Nations in favour of England, he says, because Eddie Jones’ side are man-for-man a better team than Wales.
“On paper, I think England have got a better team, with their best players on the pitch than Wales,” said Richards, who won 48 caps for England before building Leicester Tigers into the strongest team in Europe.
“But such is the ability to prepare the players accordingly then Wales performed better and came away with a Grand Slam.
“That is not saying they didn’t deserve it – they thoroughly did.
“But I don’t think (England head coach) Eddie Jones perhaps had the same opportunity to prepare his team as Warren did.”
In an interview with The Telegraph, Richards – whose Newcastle team are currently locked in a grim relegation battle – says he has changed his mind about the benefits of promotion and relegation.
His Falcons team find themselves in the drop zone, three points adrift of closest rivals Worcester Warriors going into the final six games of the season.
He now feels ring-fencing the Premiership would not only benefit club rugby across the border but also improve England’s prospects in major championships after seeing a “tired” national side fall short in the Six Nations.
“I have always been a staunch believer in promotion and relegation up until the last two or three years,” added Richards, who took Newcastle back into the Premiership after their relegation in 2012.
“Such is the investment in the teams from owners and development of academies and stadia it is now getting to stage of looking who can offer that (outside the Premiership) and there are very few clubs out there.
“You are getting to a stage where you would be looking to bring fencing in.
“If you are England and are looking at the Six Nations results and the boys are a bit tired wouldn’t you be thinking it would help us (the national team) in our preparation for the Six Nations or for a World Cup.
“Now is the ideal opportunity to get everyone together for the good of the game in England. It would be the best thing.”
England finished second behind Wales in the tournament, but their defeat to Wales was followed by a last-day collapse against Scotland at Twickenham where they conceded six tries and 38 unanswered points to draw 38-all.
Before the game, Jones had claimed that it was Wales who were looking tired – a suggestion Gatland refuted.
