Jones not guaranteed of keeping job for World Cup, Cosslett says
England rugby coach out of favour because of his management style
England head coach Eddie Jones is not guaranteed to keep his job for next year’s World Cup in Japan despite having the support of the Rugby Football Union, RFU chairman Andy Cosslett has said.
Jones, who has been criticised for his management style and a rigid game-plan, oversaw a 25-10 consolation victory in the three-Test series against South Africa on Saturday, ending England’s five-match winless run.
“You’re asking for unconditional support and only my children get that. It’s not something you give because you’re under assessment the whole time,” Cosslett told reporters.
“We’re very pleased with Saturday’s result but we keep a balanced view because we’ve had a disappointing run before that.”
The Australian, whose contract runs till January 2021, will be asked to present his case in a post-tour review conducted by the RFU’s chief executive Steve Brown. England will face the Springboks again at Twickenham on November 3, followed by matches against New Zealand, Japan and Australia.
Southern hemisphere rugby coaches have, meanwhile, expressed annoyance at some of the disciplinary decisions made during the June internationals and said the sport was in danger of becoming a ‘nanny state’ if the rules are not addressed.
Wallabies fullback Israel Folau faces a disciplinary hearing later this week, which could rule him out of the New South Wales Waratahs push for the Super Rugby playoffs, after he was issued with a warning from a citing commissioner following the 20-16 third Test loss to Ireland in Sydney on Saturday.
As Folau was also yellow carded for another, similar offence when he made contact with Ireland’s captain Peter O’Mahony in mid-air, the warning meant he must now face a hearing.
O’Mahony fell heavily during the yellow card incident, which was not helped by his lifter, CJ Stander, losing grip of his fellow loose forward’s jersey.