Francis Baron Quotations

There is no doubt that the performances of the England team since the 2003 Rugby World Cup have been unacceptable and that changes have to be made if we are to turn things round.

We needed checks and balances in the system. Andy has held his hand up to some mistakes. The director will do no coaching. He will be a sounding board.

We worked together for six years and our wives are still good friends.

We budget to win the Six Nations as that gives you maximum revenue, but you are also budgeting to pay win bonuses.

We will find alternative accommodation, probably of a more modest nature.

Two is enough. You cannot under-perform continually and expect your loyal supporters to keep buying replica shirts and paying for tickets.

Two defeats is enough. In the short term the losses have no direct impact. But you can't under-perform indefinitely and expect loyal supporters to keep buying their shirts and keep paying for tickets at Twickenham. We have to get back to winning ways.

We are trying to put checks and balances in the process but at the end of the day the coach will have the final say because it is his head that is on the block.

We are going to be lean and mean.

I've worked with Clive for a long time. We and our wives are good friends. I have made it very clear that for the post of elite rugby director we are looking for the best person who is currently available.

The job is very much a strategic senior management role. We are looking for someone with significant previous experience but his job won't involve coaching.