JONES LEFT US IN DARK
England coaches still wait for call
ENGLAND’S three surviving coaches from the World Cup have had no contact with Eddie Jones since he took charge and remain utterly in the dark about their future, while speculation rages about his recruitment plans.
Last month, Stuart Lancaster stepped down from his post as head coach after the hosts’ grim poolstage exit, prompting an RFU review and a tide of recriminations.
However, Lancaster’s assistants — Andy Farrell, Graham Rowntree and Mike Catt — remain employed by the union in their established roles, pending an assessment by Jones of their suitability for his new regime.
Tomorrow, it will be exactly two months since the heavy defeat against Australia which sealed England’s World Cup fate, yet the remaining management trio are still in a state of limbo. Sportsmail understands that they have not yet heard from Jones, who is due to arrive back in this country in the coming days after a flying visit to agree terms with his new employers before departing to Los Angeles the following morning.
It has been a torrid time for backs coach Farrell, forwards coach Rowntree and attacking skills coach Catt. They have had to endure the harsh scrutiny of the review followed by a protracted spell of uncertainty while others are linked with their jobs.
While the three men have nominally returned to their normal duties, there has been a reluctance among them to attend matches in person due to the intense focus on their positions.
Lancaster was in the crowd at the recent Wasps v Toulon match and had to put up with TV cameras pointing his way and his face appearing on the big screen.
Despite the awkward scenario, Farrell, Rowntree and Catt are soon to start discussing selection for the senior England and Saxons squads due to be announced next month.
Their deliberations may be interrupted at any time by news that their services are no longer required, as they await invites from the RFU and Jones to talks over their roles.
Meanwhile, it is understood the union has approached Bristol about recruiting Steve Borthwick — their forwards coach and former England captain. The Championship club appear resigned to losing the 36-year-old, who has only started working for them since the World Cup, but they are thought to be pushing for a compromise deal. That would entail the former lock linking up with England for the Six Nations and returning to the West Country for the rest of the season, before taking his place in the national management on a longerterm basis.
England’s 2016 Test schedule will be revealed today, with a one-off match with Wales replacing the traditional Barbarians clash in May, and an autumn series against South Africa, a tier-two nation, Argentina and Australia.