England have been left on the lookout for a brand new head coach 9 months out from subsequent yr’s World Cup after the Rugby Football Union introduced Tuesday that Eddie Jones had been sacked.
Veteran Australian boss Jones paid the worth for presiding over England’s worst yr since 2008, the workforce dropping six out of 12 Tests, with 5 wins and a draw.
He was the second head coach to be fired in 24 hours after Wales changed Wayne Pivac with predecessor Warren Gatland.
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Jones was contracted to take England via till the tip of the 2023 World Cup in France — he guided them to the 2019 ultimate the place they have been crushed by South Africa — however the RFU has curtailed his seven-year reign.
Steve Borthwick, the previous England captain turned boss of Premiership champions Leicester, is the favorite to succeed Jones full time, having been a long-serving deputy to the 62-year-old at each Japan and England.
But the RFU stated Tuesday forwards coach Richard Cockerill would take cost of England on an interim foundation.
Jones was happy with England’s achievements throughout his tenure, saying: “I am pleased with much that we have achieved as an England team and I look forward to watching the team’s performance in the future.” RFU chief government Bill Sweeney stated: “It’s important to recognise the huge contribution Eddie has made to English rugby, winning three Six Nations, one Grand Slam and taking us to a World Cup final.” Jones’ future was within the steadiness following a current Autumn sequence the place a lone win over Japan and lucky draw with New Zealand have been bookended by defeats by Argentina and South Africa.
The RFU then referred to as in an nameless panel to evaluate the Autumn marketing campaign — commonplace process in any case main sequence — but it surely was clear Jones’ job was on the road regardless of a 73 % win charge as England coach.
The panel’s findings paved the best way for the RFU board to verify Jones’ exit on Tuesday.
But the governing physique have been tight-lipped about Jones’ everlasting alternative forward of England’s Six Nations opener at house to Scotland on February 4, saying solely that modifications can be introduced within the “near future”.
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Their choices have been diminished in current days, with La Rochelle coach Ronan O’Gara, the previous Ireland fly-half, ruling himself out of the England operating and Gatland rejoining Wales.
Crusaders chief Scott Robertson is another, however a scarcity of worldwide expertise and information of the English sport might depend in opposition to the New Zealander.
It had beforehand been agreed Jones would step down after the 2023 World Cup. But the usually outspoken coach’s departure was hastened following a decisive 27-13 loss to the Springboks in England’s ultimate match of this yr, with often loyal house followers jeering the workforce off the Twickenham pitch after a lacklustre show.
It all left Jones extra weak than at any time since his appointment after a 2015 World Cup the place hosts England crashed out within the group stage.
Jones’ place was not helped when his media advisor, David Pembroke described Sweeney as “slippery” whereas accusing him of leaking tales to the press.
Sources near Jones described the choice as a “gross act of self-harm”, in response to the UK’s Telegraph.
Jones made a right away constructive affect, main England to a 2016 Grand Slam, a launchad for a run of 17 straight wins initially of his reign, with additional Six Nations titles gained in 2017 and 2020.
He additionally took England to the 2019 World Cup ultimate in Japan just for the workforce to endure a crushing 32-12 defeat by South Africa.
Jones admitted he ought to have stood down as Australia coach after the Wallabies’ 2003 World Cup ultimate loss to England, however stayed too lengthy solely to be sacked in 2005.
And with England there have been all the time doubts over whether or not his intense strategies — he received via some 200 gamers in matches and coaching squads, in addition to quite a few teaching workers — may very well be sustained over two World Cup cycles.
“There’s been rumours about Eddie being a hard driving taskmaster,” former England captain Lewis Moody instructed the BBC.
Jones, nevertheless, just lately instructed Men’s Health UK journal: “I’m 62 now and I think in pure coaching terms I am coaching better than I ever have.”
Source web site: www.foxsports.com.au
