BEFORE the process of appointing Martin Johnson’s successor is taken out of rugby people’s hands, may I point the RFU in the direction of Burnley.

When searching for Owen Coyle’s successor, the Clarets referred to Deloitte and Touche.

The figures told them Brian Laws was “top of the list of Championship managers over the period 2006/09 in terms of delivering the best results relative to financial budgets.”

He had the best points per pound ratio.

Unfortunately, what the accountants’ survey didn’t tell them was that Laws had been sacked as manager of Sheffield Wednesday in mid-December, after a run of one win in 12 games – including eight defeats – had left them in the bottom three of the Championship.

A month later he was the surprise choice to take charge of Premier League Burnley.

The Clarets and the Owls were both relegated that season.

So I was somewhat alarmed when I heard the RFU had turned to a corporate head-hunting organisation to find the new England coach.

Odgers Berndtson describe themselves on their website as “the UK’s pre-eminent executive search firm” and make reference to having worked with Premier League clubs, Liverpool and Manchester United.

Acting RFU chief executive Stephen Brown told the BBC: “Odgers will provide objectivity, advice during the assessment stages, and some practical, administrative help in what is a worldwide search.”

It is reassuring that they will defer to a five-man RFU committee for the final say, but I fail to see how a firm that is more used to hand picking CEOs than coaches is better equipped than those at the rugby union coalface to have such a big say in this decision.

The RFU should learn from Burnley’s mistakes. Managers and coaches must prove themselves on teamsheets and scoresheets rather than spreadsheets.

The Clarets’ selection process wasn’t all down to Deloitte and Touche, of course.

It wasn’t the first time Burnley had chased Laws.

At that time the club’s former right back’s stock was higher.

Second time around the stats, and fans’ opinion, weighed heavily against the decision.

He was the wrong man, at the wrong time.

Burnley did not make the same mistake with his successor.