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Stuart Barnes believes Stuart Lancaster was asked to stand down, despite the former England coach and the RFU claiming it was a mutual decision. The 46-year-old left his role following Englands disappointing World Cup campaign when they became the first hosts of the tournament to be eliminated at the pool stage. Rugby Special: Englands future Stuart Barnes, Dean Ryan and Ali Williams join Alex Payne at 7pm on Thursday on Sky Sports 2 HD... Former England fly-half Barnes has rubbished the idea Lancaster moved on as a result of a joint decision and instead thinks RFU chief executive Ian Ritchie asked the coach to leave his position. Ian Ritchie is saying the two of them came to a joint decision - that is absolutely inconceivable, Barnes told Sky Sports News HQ.They couldnt have said at the same moment Ive got a great idea, Ian and Ive got an idea too, Stuart and say lets resign.Its going to be Ian Ritchie, isnt it? Stuart Lancaster has to fight his corner, even if he thinks it is a hopeless case. Ian Ritchie is the man, he is the CEO, he has to say look Stuart, when all is said and done, you are going to have to go. Stuart Lancaster walks off dejected with Dave Barton after Englands defeat to Australia Ritchie and RFU chairman Bill Beaumont faced the media at Twickenham on Wednesday where they outlined plans to recruit the right person to take England forward.Barnes stopped short of calling Ritchies position into question, however, and instead looked to those around him in the organisation to take more responsibility. RFU chief executive Ian Ritchie and chairman Bill Beaumont faced questions on Stuart Lancasters exit Ian Ritchie is a very articulate and intelligent man, he said. He was noticeably flustered when the question about his position came up in the press conference. He said he would leave that to the board and chairman.Bill Beaumont said he has been given a vote of confidence so from Ian Ritchies position, he is not going to walk.I think he has actually done quite a lot of good things. I will say this in Ian Ritchies defence because he is coming in for a lot of flak, when he moved into this position he was new to rugby, he came from Wimbledon. England head coach Stuart Lancaster (R) looks on with Professional Rugby Director Rob Andrew during the Six Nations Had he said unilaterally I want this man, people like myself would have asked how he was qualified to make that call. He had a board that helped to make that decision. Among others, Rob Andrew [RFU professional rugby director] was on that.These are the people who really put it to Ian Ritchie that Lancaster was the man, so Rob Andrews position is scarred, shall we say, by the Martin Johnson episode and then Stuart Lancaster, and Ian McGeechan, who played an important part, I think, in convincing Ian Ritchie also. It is a bit of a black box there. Also See: RFU could look abroad Lancaster quits England Dewi: Henry for England Who will succeed Lancaster? Fake Balenciaga Shoes . Russia has spent about $51 billion to deliver the Sochi Olympics, which run Feb. 7-23, making them the most expensive games ever, even though as a winter event it hosts many fewer athletes than summer games do. Wholesale Adidas Nmd . - The Raiders have released guard Mike Brisiel after two disappointing seasons in Oakland. http://www.fakejordancheap.com/wholesale...hoes-china.html. Phoenix originally signed Barbosa to a 10-day contract on Jan. 8 after Eric Bledsoe injured his knee and then signed him to another 10-day deal. Cheap Air Max 90 Free Shipping . Last year, Matt Kuchar closed with a 4-under 68 to beat Kevin Chappell by two strokes for his second win of the 2013 season and sixth of his career. Fake Nmd Shoes .5 million, two-year contract with the San Francisco Giants on Thursday, a deal that covers his final two arbitration seasons.FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Star tight end Rob Gronkowski stood in front of his Gillette Stadium locker Monday and announced he will be playing in the New England Patriots opener at Miami this Sunday. Meanwhile, the news hardly caught the Dolphins by surprise. "Im super excited," said Gronkowski, who didnt play in any of the four preseason games as he completed his recovery from December right knee surgery. "I wont have to see my teammates grind all week - (Ill) go back out there with them, get in the huddle, break the huddle with them. "Its going to be an honour to be back out there with my teammates. Super pumped, super excited and just preparing for the game." The pronouncement came as a bit of a surprise in a locker room not known for players "breaking news." "Yeah, yeah, Im just getting it out of the way there," Gronkowski said. "Every single day this week (he would have been asked about returning) - get it out of the way now." "It just feels good in my mind to know that Ill be out there with my boys, working hard, grinding with them, being out there." The Patriots are 6-0 all-time when Gronkowski plays against the Dolphins, but Miami has kept him in some check of late. Gronkowskis last two games against Miami resulted in a total of only four catches. Dolphins coach Joe Philbin said his team was "fully prepared" for a Gronkowski sighting. "Hes an excellent player," Philbin said Monday. "Hes been a very very productive player throughout his career. Well have a good plan in place, but hes certainly an important part of their offence, and a productive part of it. Well be ready for him, for sure." Gronkowski, who tore his right ACL and MCL last Dec. 8, is a two-time Pro Bowler and was an All-Pro in 2011. He has 226 catches with 42 touchdowns in 50 regular-season games. Last season, coming off multiple surgeries and an arm infection, he appeared in seven games, catching 39 passes, four for touchdowns, before going down on a hit by safety T.J. Ward, then of the Cleveland Browns. Asked if he feells ready, Gronkowski said, "Definitely.dddddddddddd I feel mentally and physically ready, for sure, no doubt about it." "Just the way we just worked throughout all camp and the last few weeks, everythings just been going well," Gronkowski added. "Theres been no setbacks, just more and more (work) every single day. "Now I just have to focus on the Miami Dolphins, just keep focusing on getting better and getting stronger." Dolphins defensive co-ordinator Kevin Coyle said hes been working under the assumption Gronkowski would be ready for Week 1. "Hes also been a big target for them in the red zone," Coyle said. "If he plays, and how much he plays, we dont know how much that will be, thats not going to change what we do." Gronkowski says he doesnt expect to play "every single snap" Sunday, but is ready for "whatever the coaches have." "Its been long and tiring for sure," he said. "But you just got to be patient and everything comes along well. Thats the way Ive been - just keep working hard and it will all come." Last week, the Patriots traded veteran guard Logan Mankins to Tampa Bay for tight end Tim Wright, who has been added to provide depth. "So far, hes been working hard. Its been great seeing him improving every single day, learning everything, and its always fun with a new guy that wants to work hard," Gronkowski said. NOTES: WR Josh Boyce, cut Saturday, was one of 10 players signed to the taxi squad, a list that includes DL Charley Hughlett, who is being signed for the second time as a long snapper after the release of Danny Aiken. DE-LB Rob Ninkovich is currently the only long snapper on the roster. ... Also re-signed were DL Jake Bequette, LBs JaGared Davis and Deontae Skinner, S Kanorris Davis, RB Jonas Gray, OL Chris Martin and DB Daxton Swanson. The club also added quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson, last with San Francisco. ------ AP Sports Writer Tim Reynolds in Davie, Fla. contributed to this story. ' ' '