Eddie Jones’ fate will not be known until midway through this week despite a report that he is about to be sacked by the Rugby Football Union as England’s men’s head coach.
The Sydney Morning Herald has reported Jones and the RFU were due to split on Monday, UK time, nine months before the World Cup in France. Jones’ former right-hand man Steve Borthwick, who has worked alongside the Australian in the past two World Cup campaigns including their run to the final in 2019 with England, has long been favoured to take over.
The RFU’s board is set to convene on Tuesday to ratify its decision on Jones’ future.
A public announcement will then be made midway through the week to reveal whether he will be given the chance to continue until the World Cup when his eight-year reign is contracted to end or if the RFU is to appoint an alternative.
If, indeed, Jones has been sacked, he will end his seven-year association with the RFU as England’s most successful coach on a win-loss metric. From 81 Tests in charge of England, he has 59 wins, 2 draws and 10 losses (73 per cent winning record).
He also led England to the World Cup final in 2019, three Six Nations crowns, including a grand slam in 2016, and equalled New Zealand’s record of 18 consecutive victories in 2017.
Yet, it is understood by The Roar, Jones was preparing to present to RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney and an independent panel less than 12 hours before the SMH published its report that Jones was gone.
It is understood Jones, who presented to a panel on Monday at 1pm GMT, wants to fight on and is hellbent on delivering the plan, which the RFU supported, and bringing it to fruition at next year’s World Cup.
It is also understood Jones would have no issue working with Borthwick again, having previously successfully worked with the former England captain at Japan and England.
By bringing Borthwick – the former England second-row and captain – back into the picture, it would allow the RFU to show that they are listening to disgruntled fans and stakeholders, who were left furious by Jones’ comments following their first loss to the Springboks at home in eight years when he said he “doesn’t care what people think”.
Should the RFU have already pulled the trigger on Jones, it would follow the same path the then-Australian Rugby Union walked in 2005 when CEO Gary Flowers sacked the Australian as Wallabies coach without the chance to present to the board.
Borthwick, who led Leicester Tigers to a stunning premiership in his first season in charge, has long been linked to the role.
Eddie Jones is preparing to present to a RFU panel despite a report stating he has been sacked. Photo: David Rogers/Getty Images
Insiders say he was to be appointed as Jones’ replacement following the 2023 World Cup, but should the Australian be sacked it is highly likely he could be signed immediately.
Warren Gatland – the highly decorated British and Irish Lions coach, who oversaw Wales to two semi-final appearances from three World Cups – is another candidate, who would be thought of only as a short-term option through to the World Cup.
Meanwhile, Rugby Australia is watching closely the events unfolding in London, with Jones well-liked and respected by many powerbrokers at Moore Park.
That should not come as a great surprise. After all, the Australian holds a 10-1 win record against the Wallabies and recently led England from a come-from-behind series win in July.
That does not mean Dave Rennie is under any more pressure than he already was, but the New Zealander is still expected to coach the Wallabies through to the World Cup despite his own troubles in 2022.
What happens beyond next year’s World Cup is far from certain, but Jones remains a strong candidate to take over in 2024 despite being linked to the USA coaching role.
Wallabies assistant coach Dan McKellar, who called time on his association with the Brumbies earlier this year, is someone RA wants to continue to evolve.
Six-time Super Rugby-winning coach Scott Robertson is also highly regarded by RA, but any suggestions that the Crusaders coach would be a shoo-in post-2023 are unfounded.
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
Especially If the new coach has a radically different approach. Replacing Eddie now would be total madness .I wonder if they don't go the NZ way and throw in a few " assistants" instead .
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
Well Eddie may not care what people think and I get that . So much criticism comes the way of a modern international coach that he can be forgiven for having a thick skin , but its probably best keeping that to himself .
mzilikazi
Roar Pro
"By bringing Borthwick – the former England second-row and captain – back into the picture, it would allow the RFU to show that they are listening to disgruntled fans and stakeholders " They can't be serious. It's a non swearing day for me, so just think what Machooka would say here. Meanwhile, Rugby Australia is watching closely the events unfolding in London, with Jones well-liked and respected by many powerbrokers at Moore Park. Unbelieveable ! It's like going to the town dump, fossicking through the rubbish, and finding an old broken down item, and convincing the family it will do the job fine !
Butch
Guest
Gary was a good administrator and nice bloke but never coached!
PeterK
Roar Guru
agree, 5 tests is not enough prep for the rwc
Glenn
Guest
"WHISTLE". No try Trytime. No evidence that you grounded the ball or evidence of any facts to your claims, possibly slander for your comment - "McKellar will be ‘white anting ‘ Rennie as we speak." RED CARD. :angry:
Doctordbx
Roar Rookie
Regarding DR he needs to stay until the end of the cup but Rugby Australia should be making a red hot effort to see if they can find someone better to take over after. They won’t though.
Doctordbx
Roar Rookie
If a head coach cannot manage his assistants he's not a head coach.
Wharfboy
Roar Rookie
Interestingly the SMH report has been reworded today, "Dave Rennie will be spared the axe, but it could yet fall on Eddie Jones as Australia and England react to horror Test seasons" which suggests a distinct lack of reasearch by Georgina Robinson or dodgy information sources. Maybe the SMH could have just copied Saturday's artice from the BBC which suggests all will be come clear NEXT week. https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/63835466
Bluesfan
Big danger for both NZ and Oz rugby is that I have seen Gatland has now gone to Wales, Jones is potentially being fired and accordingly if that happens a lot of top quality coaches will be quickly locked away. Real danger if you wait till after the WC that like in 2019 with NZ - the amount of high quality international level coaches will dry up. Note that Robertson (Head of NZRFU) noted the danger of Scott Robertson decamping off-shore and that they were watching the coaching market closely.
Trytime
Guest
McKellar looks a complete muppet compared to other coaches available. Why would RA want to keep him involved. McKellar needs to piss off. McKellar will be ‘white anting ‘ Rennie as we speak. Rennie did not want McKellar as an assistant from the get go and now will be copping the lack of trust from McKellar behind closed doors. This will be why do many brumbies were selected so McKellar can get their vote and keep his brumby boys on side. Sad situation for the wallabies but true!
Gilbert
Roar Rookie
Eddie is a master coach. England would be foolish to let him go.
The Late News
Roar Rookie
Another ridiculous comment. He has had one staff member permanently running down hospital wards doing a head count and you take aim at selections? Seriously mate are we on the same planet?
The Late News
Roar Rookie
IF this is actually true then its yet another win for the wan#<r brigade. If Eddie was good enough last week then what's changed?
AJP
Roar Rookie
"He has shown that he does not get the way that we play and his ad hoc selections are mind numbing. We should change coaches now, while we still have time to bed in another coach, We have 9 months until the 23 WC is played more than enough time to get a new coach and get the team onside. His fetish with playing old players past their prime and not having faith in the new boys really is annoying." Er ... is this satire? Is this not exactly what the Poms are saying bout Eddie?
Cam
Roar Rookie
Agree the coach is the least of RA’s issues. If we start all the way back in the 90’s with Rod McQueen’s winning record of 79% and walk it forward, Eddie Jones (2001-2005) drops it down to 57%, there is a bit of a bump back to 64% with John Connolly (2006-2007), before we start the inextricable slide to mediocrity. Robbie Deans (2008-2013) dropped the win ratio to 58%, McKenzie (2013-2014) to 50%, Cheika (2015-2019) also 50% and Rennie at a horrendous 36%. Unfortunately, history shows shuffling coaches will not make a lick of difference. There needs to be fundamental changes made at RA starting at the front office (management, sponsorship, media relations etc), moving down through the coaching, high performance and fitness staff and all the way through pathways, talent ID and grassroots rugby (Club Rugby, GPS Rugby, Junior Rugby). A good coach is valuable, but he is but a small cog helping to turn a big wheel.
Temujin
Guest
I think you’re being a bit unfair. While a Brumbies fan I definitely would prefer if he was more assertive in not bringing our style to the Wallabies. But I wouldn’t go as far as saying he just doesn’t get it. Think a lot of coaches struggle when first becoming an international coach (Link notwithstanding with his excellent first season). Regarding Donaldson I would say it was because it was his first real full season at super level - and wasn’t even first choice at the Tahs for most of the season. Despite this he has brought into the Wallabies squad, debuted and did okay with being great - certainly worth future investment. And while Gilmore is a good coach really not sure we have enough evidence to think he would be better than Rennie? Razor Robertson would be a bit of a dream I think.
Nobody
Roar Rookie
I agree, there are many more factors in play causing the wallabies to drop down, many years of bad management and such has finally caught up to us, it is just easier to blame the coach to take the blame.
Gary Russell-Sharam
Roar Rookie
IMO Dave Rennie is not the answer for Australia going forward. He has shown that he does not get the way that we play and his ad hoc selections are mind numbing. We should change coaches now, while we still have time to bed in another coach, We have 9 months until the 23 WC is played more than enough time to get a new coach and get the team onside. His fetish with playing old players past their prime and not having faith in the new boys really is annoying. I'm a Qlder but I really cant understand why Donaldson is not given more time. The bloke is a good flyhalf and needs more time at the top level to polish him up. My pick would be a home grown coach Jason Gilmore who coached the Wallabies B side and is assistant coach of the Waratahs. He is up and coming and has experience at the top level. The philosophy of build for the future and grow from within is the way I would go. Start now and look to the future, build Australian rugby to what it was prior to turning professional
Passit2me
Roar Rookie
Hi Don, It's my understanding that DR is not the sole selector and that this responsibility is shared among the coaches