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Eddie Jones says he has “one more job in me” and won’t rule out a stunning return to Australian rugby union in time for the World Cup.
In a expansive interview with the BBC on Wednesday, Jones said he could see his sacking from England coming after a disappointing autumn series which capped the England team’s worst calendar year since 2008.
Jones was under fire for suggesting that the World Cup was of paramount importance, and doubled down on that by referencing Argentina’s win in the football World Cup.
“The World Cup is the ultimate trophy. If you look at the football, for instance, the only team people are going to remember over the last four years is Argentina now,” he said.
His replacement Steve Borthwick directly addressed that in his welcome press conference, saying every Test was important.
Eddie Jones shakes hands with Nic White. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
Jones said he could feel the mood change from his bosses at the RFU as the end neared.
“I could feel the change in the wind. You know, when you’ve been coaching for a while you feel when your support is starting to wane” Jones said. “I felt it was coming.”
Asked if he would have changed anything, Jones told the BBC: “I wouldn’t do anything differently. I was quite confident that we were on the right track, leading up to the World Cup. And I still have that belief. But if others don’t share that, then that’s their decision.”
Jones said he had received “at least 40 texts” from England players thanking him for his seven years in charge and “it makes me feel a bit sad now talking about it because they have a great bunch of boys.
Jones has been linked with a coaching role with Australia, either above or instead of Dave Rennie and declined to rule out a move.
Asked if he could an England rivals at the World Cup, he said: “It’s not about coaching an England rival, it’s about I want to add to the game. I love the game, I love coaching.”
Jones clearly feels he was fired with the best still to come.
“I continued coaching as well as I could and we had a plan to peak at the 2023 World Cup, but unfortunately we didn’t get the opportunity to finish that.
“There was a discussion, but when boards make that decision, they already have it firmly in their mind. They made a decision that they didn’t think I can do the job to the level they want and I’m in no position to argue.
“I didn’t think I was coaching poorly. The pleasing thing is the number of players who have come out and endorsed that, particularly when they can’t gain anything from that. But sometimes the results don’t go your way and you pay for it.”