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Sacked England coach Eddie Jones says he feels “ready to go again”, with the Australian coach revealing he will “make a decision” on his future “in the next couple of weeks”.
In a wide-ranging interview with The Guardian, the soon-to-be 63-year-old confirmed he had “a couple of good options” and would base his decision on his next move, which shapes as his last, on where he feels he can make the greatest impact over the next “four or five years”.
“I’ve got a couple of good options. I’m getting to the stage of talking contracts so I’ll make a decision in the next couple of weeks,” Jones told The Guardian.
“They have very different aspects and the decision will be made on where I feel I could make the most contribution over the next four or five years,” he added.
Eddie Jones says he’s “ready to go again” after being sacked last month by England. Photo: Michael Regan – World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images
Probed on whether the options included a nation with a World Cup-winning record and one that doesn’t, Jones was coy.
“One’s one and one’s the other, mate,” he said.
Jones’ next move has been the talk of the town well before The Rugby Football Union axed him in December.
The Australian has been linked to a return to the Wallabies since July as a potential director of rugby, but any possible homecoming was thought to be following the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
Jones’ sacking, which followed an underwhelming November campaign and saw him finish with just five victories from 12 Tests, came despite the Australian holding the greatest winning percentage (73%) by any England coach.
His unexpected availability has led to crunch meetings with Rugby Australia, who are considering their next move, particularly with New Zealand-born head coach Dave Rennie unlikely to be given a contract extension following a bumpy three years that threatened to crash out of control in the Northern Hemisphere following a historic first defeat to Italy in November.
Rugby Australia must also replace Scott Wisemantel, who resigned as Wallabies attack coach earlier this week.
But any thought of Jones joining Rennie’s World Cup ticket seems unlikely.
“I’m not an assistant coach, mate. I’m not interested in that sort of job,” Jones said bluntly.
Eddie Jones shakes hands with Nic White. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
It means Rugby Australia has a decision to make on Rennie’s future.
Jones has also been linked to a role in the United States of America, while The Roar understands he has been sounded out about roles in France as well as a return to the Japan head coaching role post next year’s World Cup.
Interestingly, Jones revealed he remains interested in the USA job, but crucially admitted the nation’s inability to qualify for next year’s World Cup, as well as the basket case the Major League Rugby competition is in, has likely cooled any thought of the Australian ending up in the developing rugby union.
“100 per cent. That would be one of the best projects but I get the impression World Rugby is starting to look at whether the investment in that country has made them ready. Given that the USA didn’t make the World Cup, it’s at a standstill,” Jones said.
He added: “Yeah, I’d obviously like to lift the trophy. But I really enjoy the process of building a team and playing good rugby.”
Jones, who said he didn’t “have any regrets” but admitted he was proud of his tenure with England, anticipates as many as six nations can win the World Cup.
Fascinatingly, the former Wallabies coach included Australia in that list.
“Six teams can win it,” Jones told The Guardian.
“Australia have beaten South Africa, drawn with New Zealand [2020] and lost [away] to France by one point. So they’re one of the six with England.
“New Zealand and South Africa are ranked third and fourth. Ireland and France are the popular teams [ranked 1 and 2]. They might be slightly ahead but in nine months they mightn’t be and that’s all that counts.
“At most other World Cups New Zealand have been way ahead with a group of teams fighting to play them. Generally, it’s South Africa, who have won the World Cup three times. That’s changed now.”
As for France, the host nation and Six Nations champions, who went unbeaten in 2022?
“They’ve got a 2023 project,” Jones said. “If you look at the history of French sport they’ve been able to do that for World Cups where the whole country gets behind the campaign. At the moment it’s working but what about later this year? No one knows.”
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.