UNDERHILL IS OUT FOR THE SEASON
Jones will decide this morning whether to change his starting XV but Elliot Daly’s return to fitness could challenge May’s place in the back three. It has also emerged that Jones could be shortlisted to take over as Australia coach after next year’s World Cup. Current coach Michael Cheika has said he will step down if Australia do not lift the Webb Ellis Cup in Japan next year. Jones was sacked by the Wallabies in 2005 but, despite being contracted to England until 2021, he could be tempted by a return to his homeland. Australia’s high performance manager Ben Whitaker said: ‘I can’t speak on behalf of the board but if I’m tasked with pulling together a list of potential candidates...is Eddie Jones on there? Yeah, he is.’ Wales coach Warren Gatland has opened the door for George North to return to Wales before the end of the season after the wing’s falling out with Northampton Saints. North was named in the Wales starting XV for the first time in more than a year yesterday and will play on the right wing against Italy on Sunday. He is contracted to Northampton until May before he moves back to Wales but Saints stand-in boss Alan Gaffney suggested that the wing did not want to play for his club last weekend against Sale. ‘If he wants to come home quicker than next season, we will look after him,’ said Gatland who has made 10 changes for the Italy game in Cardiff.