Alex Goode: It’s so much nicer without having a Mr Nasty in charge

Treat them mean to keep them keen is one of the well-worn mantras of professional sport. The basic principle is you get the most out of players by being hard on them, by harassing them and even by being a bit nasty.

The accepted wisdom at many sport clubs is that managers or coaches are expected to scowl and shout like sergeant majors and that players are supposed to cower and tremble like children in an austere 19th century orphanage.

Well . . . maybe not.

The performance of England coach Stuart Lancaster and his squad in the RBS Six Nations seems to support the growing belief — in sport, business and other walks of life — that, in fact, you get the best out of people by treating them well, by looking after them, enthusing them and creating a strong culture.

“Culture? What is culture?” sneered a pundit, on his way to dismissing what he described as the worst England team he had seen in 25 years of watching Test rugby.

The answer to his question was most effectively answered in the obvious body language between the England players throughout the championship.

They were clearly playing for each other and enjoying themselves.

Lancaster took over as interim coach at a time when almost every big name in world rugby was being linked to

the England job, and, totally unconcerned, he set about the task with an honesty and openness that really engaged the players.